Women’s Advocate

Seven months after our investigation revealed that Puerto Rico’s nine shelters were at risk of closing, the nonprofits that operate them remain financially vulnerable as government aid remains temporary and fragmented.

Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez welcomed the transfer of $1.6 million to her office, but she did not specify how much of it would go toward covering the budget shortfall facing shelters that house women survivors of domestic violence and their children.

The government official also confirmed the Oversight Board blocked an attempt to partially cover the deficit.

Puerto Rico Women’s Advocate Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez said she trusts that the proposed federal funding cuts will be smaller than anticipated, that the Puerto Rico Legislature will increase her office’s budget, and that citizens will step up with donations to organizations serving survivors of gender-based violence.