TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO
KNOW ABOUT CUBAN WOMEN
Patricia Daniel
Sheffield Cuba Solidarity Campaign
Sheffield Feminist Network
PRE-REVOLUTIONARY CUBA
AMERICA’S PLAYGROUND
SUN, CIGARS, SEX AND RUM
1. WOMEN TOOK AN ACTIVE PART
IN THE REVOLUTION
WOMEN’S PLATOON
VILMA ESPIN
2. WOMEN BECAME ORGANISED
NATIONALLY IN 1960
FEDERATION OF CUBAN WOMEN
85% of Cuban women over the age of 14 are
members (= nearly 4 million people)
 Almost 74 thousand local branches
 Key point of reference representing women’s
interests to government, technically an
independent NGO but also operating as a quasiministry
 Works throughout Cuban society to challenge
traditional roles and promote women’s rights

LEGISLATION
Cuban Constitution: guarantees equal
economic, political, cultural, social and family
rights for women and men
 Sex discrimination is forbidden by law
 Labour Code: ensures equal rights and
opportunities in the field of work including
statutory maternity leave
 Family Code: equal status within the home and
marriage
 Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights: free
legalised family planning, including abortion

3. WOMEN HOLD EQUAL POSITIONS IN
PUBLIC LIFE
Doctors
Scientists
Judges
Politicians
51%
53%
49%
48%
Union Officials 50%
Technicians 66%
4. WOMEN BENEFIT FROM FREE
HEALTH CARE & SRH SERVICES
Female life expectancy:
80 years
Skilled attendance during
childbirth: 99.9%
Infant mortality per
100,000 live births: 5.8
Pan American Health
Organisation 2005
CUBAN DOCTORS AND NURSES PROVIDE
FREE HEALTH CARE WORLDWIDE
2-year International
Service for example in
Africa
 2 million Cataract
Operations in Latin
America and
Caribbean
 Humanitarian Aid in
emergencies
 Free medical training

5. SEX EDUCATION IS MAINSTREAMED
“Seduction”
6. CUBA IS A WORLD LEADER IN SEXUAL
DIVERSITY RIGHTS
7. CUBAN WOMEN EXCEL IN ARTS AND
SPORTS
8. CUBAN WOMEN CONTINUE TO BE
AFFECTED BY THE US ECONOMIC EMBARGO
“ESTOY EN LA LUCHA”
CREATIVITY, VERSATILITY AND HUMOUR
Q “What are the 3
successes of the
revolution?”
A “Medicine, education
and athletics!”
Q “What are the 3
failures of the
revolution?”
A “Breakfast, lunch and
dinner!”
ORGANIPONICOS
“It should be noted that the
Cuban government has
maintained social development as
a priority despite difficult
economic conditions. The social
needs and welfare of the people
are placed above the dictates of
the market.”
CIDA 2001
WOMEN’S INFLUENCE IN ECONOMIC
REFORMS 2011+




Setting policy framework: Women in policymaking leadership positions (Finanzas,
Controlaría)
Consultation process: Women as participants
in reform debates from the grassroots upwards
Implementing policy: Women within
ministries, local government and public services
Women’s agenda: Price stability of basic
necessities, subsidised prices, passenger
transportation
9. TOURISM HAS LED TO INEQUALITY AND
A RISE IN PROSTITUTION
DEMAND VERSUS SUPPLY
“Western governments have a moral
responsibility to eradicate the ideologies
which teach their male citizens to view the
poverty of young women and girls as an
‘opportunity’ to indulge their own sexual
fantasies.”
10. CUBAN WOMEN STILL VALUE
INTERNATIONAL [FEMINIST] SUPPORT
Carolina Amador and Ana Milagros
Unison Conference 2010
A FEMINIST PROJECT?
 www.camyorkshire.wordpress.com

www.sheffieldfeministnetwork.wordpress.com