Cuba’s policies on women highlighted
at ECLAC meeting
SANTIAGO DE CHILE.—Cuba’s advances in the sphere of
gender equality reinforced by government policies,
were highlighted on November 19 by Alejandrina
Germán, president of the Regional Conference on
Women, which took place in Santiago de Chile.
In statements to Prensa Latina, the minister
for Women in the Dominican Republic stated that Cuba
has always led the way in regards to both female
empowerment and the implementation of women’s
rights.
Germán highlighted the role of the Federation of
Cuban Women (FMC), the leadership of its president,
Vilma Espín, and the importance of the educational
advances realized by the organization – essential
for women’s incorporation into society.
She also stated that the Cuban government’s
commitment to gender equality has contributed to the
advances made in the sphere.
Leaders Fidel Castro and Raúl Castro have
implemented a coherent State policy in line with
what women can achieve. When there is governmental
support, policies can be much more effective, she
concluded.
Germán made the comments in the context of the
Special Session of the Beijing+20 which was held on
November 19, at the Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) headquarters.
Participants in the event analyzed the gender
equality policies implemented by countries of the
region over the last two decades.
For Cuba, Secretary-General of the FMC and member of
the Council of State, Teresa Amarelle Boué,
emphasized the physical, economic and decision
making autonomy achieved by Cuban women.
We have made the most of the platform to form our
own action plan which was adopted after the Fourth
World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1994,
Amarelle stated.
Cuba was the first country in the world to sign and
ratify the “Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination Against Women,” and already
had a extensive legal base related to the protection
of women and children, she added.
Amarelle commented that almost 20 years later, her
country has made indisputable advances in the
promotion of gender equality, making the country one
of the leaders in the region on the issue.
It is important to highlight the significance and
growing participation of women in economic,
political and social life and in the formation and
implementation of public policies, she added.
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