Saturday, December 06, 2014

Cuban Policies on Women Highlighted at ECLAC Meeting
Granma International

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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