Cuba's agenda towards gender equality confirms the will of not losing spaces despite the complexities, according to the secretary general of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), Teresa Amarrelle.
On the occasion of her participation in the sessions of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the also member of the Council of State said that the progress made by the Caribbean nation in this area is not equivalent to standing idly by.
Cuba brings to the meeting its message to ratify its commitment to gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals, she said in an interview with Prensa Latina.
However, maintaining those responsibilities means that we still have to do much more to achieve that welfare for women, considered the country's fundamental purpose in this regard, she added.
The meeting, focused on accelerating the achievement of equality, tackling poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective, also analyzes the need to pay for care and more investment in the face of the setback in the progress made in the rights of women and girls.
In Amarelle's opinion, the Cuban context is not exempt from these concerns despite the State's commitment to women's progress.
Among its priorities, the Federation is committed to linking Cuban women more closely to employment, mainly in the sectors most needed by the nation, such as food production.
"We recently completed our XI Congress and we saw how many women are involved, how many initiatives, how much commitment in the production of meat, milk, rice and the elaboration of articles," said the secretary general.
Another of the main areas of work is aimed at balancing the burden of housework that still falls disproportionately on women.
"Resolving these stereotypes and making them the responsibility of the whole family requires a lot of work and, above all, prevention within the family," she said.
The more active role of women in the economy and society in Cuba demands a comprehensive care system with centers for family care such as children's circles, children's homes, grandparents' homes and others.
The policies aimed at equality also face the impact of the current economic and financial conditions and the U.S. siege which, according to the head of the FMC, do not allow taking other important steps towards equality.
However, participation in the event confirms the progress in gender issues and the space created by governments both in Cuba and in Latin America.
According to Amarelle, the Federation's position as the interlocutor of women with the State allows not only to promote public policies, but also to evaluate how they are implemented at the grassroots level and to provide feedback.
We are not finished yet in terms of gender equality; generations are changing and with them the way of seeing life and the role of prevention and education, where women and families play a very important role, she considered.
With these precepts and a full agenda, the Cuban delegation is participating in the governmental and civil society segment of what is considered the main United Nations event for gender equality.
Scheduled to take place from March 11 to 22, the event brings together representatives of governments, civil society organizations, specialists and activists from all over the world to agree on actions and investments that can put an end to women's poverty and advance the agenda drawn up in this regard.
Among others, the Federation of Cuban Women will be accompanied by representatives of the Union of Jurists of Cuba, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, who will participate in panels, round tables, interactive workshops and debate sessions.