New York, October 6, 2017. Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo attended the debate of Item 28: Advancement of Women, of the Third Committee of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly. At this session, she recalled that Cuba was the first country to sign and the second to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; and that thanks to the social policy of the Revolution, Cuban women have access to the public sphere on equal terms as men and that we have a Domestic Action Plan to follow up the Fourth World Conference on Women.
She noted that in Cuba, laws and other legal provisions have been passed guaranteeing equality of rights, opportunities and possibilities for men and women, and progress has been made in reconceptualizing the role of women in society and in the family, as well as in eliminating traditional sexual stereotypes. Some relevant indicators on the achievements of Cuban women are: a female economic activity rate of 57.3%; they represent 48% out of all the people employed in the civil state sector and 47.2% are holding managerial positions; 85% are technicians and professionals. Among the rights achieved are sexual and reproductive rights, including the right to abortion and the free and responsible choice on their fertility.
The Cuban ambassador contrasted such indicators with those shown in other parts of the world, where about 90% of the victims of the wars today are civilians, most of whom are women, senior citizens and children; they also represent more than 75% of refugees and people displaced by conflict.
Rodríguez Camejo stated that the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba is an obstacle to the full development of the country and to the advancement of women; it is also a form of direct and indirect violence that has an impact on and prevents the enjoyment of the fundamental rights of Cuban women, including their right to development.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations