The Power of Women, the Power of Words

Women Writers Working for Change in the Dominican Republic

Of the 50 projects funded by the Caribbean Culture Fund to date, over 30 feature women-led organizations or address gendered issues.

This includes one of the of the first completed projects led by Proyecto Anticanon, an initiative focused on reviewing, promoting, and supporting literature by women in the Dominican Republic. Its main event was the sixth National Meeting of Women Writers, held in Santo Domingo. The gathering brought together Dominican women authors for a day of discussion and literary activities.

Here, we explore the origins, impact, and future of this powerful literary movement.

Q: Tell us about the goals of Proyecto Anticanon.

A: Proyecto Anticanon works to address the lack of visibility for women writers by creating platforms for connection, collaboration, and promotion. The National Meeting of Women Writers supported this goal by providing a space for writers from across the country and the diaspora to share their work. Since 2019, participation has been open and inclusive.

Q: Tell us more about the  National Meeting of Women Writers fit into Proyecto Anticanon’s plans?

A: The Meeting was one of our main events. The 2024 edition was held on July 13 in Santo Domingo and included 15 activities—ranging from workshops to discussions. This year’s program honored Kianny N. Antigua, a Dominican author, poet, and translator known for her work on Afro-Dominican identity. The primary beneficiaries were the 100 women writers who attended and the more than 200 writers and audience members who accessed the event virtually. Writers from rural provinces, younger emerging voices, and those from previously underrepresented regions had the opportunity to share their work and build networks. As a result of funding efforts, the National Meeting of Women Writers will be held again in 2025 on July 12th.

Q: What were some of the takeaways from the event?

A: The event focused on key topics including writer development, literary criticism, and collaboration. Writers discussed the need for self-directed learning and called for public policies to support reading and literary education. They stressed the value of working together rather than competing. Participants emphasized the importance of planning to balance creative and administrative roles and encouraged writers to take initiative in cultural work, rather than relying solely on institutions.

Regarding literary criticism, participants expressed the need for more impartial, work-focused critique and more women critics. They also encouraged openness to feedback as part of professional growth.

Writers recommended building an archive of the event’s history, increasing networking, using digital tools to boost visibility, and offering more chances to present their work. There was also discussion on inclusive literature, urging writers to handle LGBTQ+ themes with care and avoid stereotypes.

The Caribbean literature session highlighted the region’s cultural and linguistic diversity, and the importance of understanding shared histories like colonization. The cultural management discussion recognized the rise of women leaders and proposed a new training program. Writers were encouraged to plan carefully and take initiative rather than depend entirely on institutions. 

For more on Proyecto Anticanon, visit https://www.instagram.com/anticanonrd/