Mr. President,
In my country, social policy is closely linked to inclusion and social protection. From a rights-based approach and a comprehensive vision, it includes the guarantee of basic welfare, attention to social risks, as well as poverty and inequality. It includes programs in various sectors such as health, education, housing, employment, security and social assistance.
Cuba, a socialist and social justice rule of law supports, in the first article of the Constitution of the Republic, the dignity, humanism and ethics of citizenship for the enjoyment of freedom, justice, equality, solidarity and individual and collective prosperity.
The design and implementation of public policies have been focused on achieving and maintaining important social achievements with a high level of coverage, free access to a significant amount of services, based on the principle of leaving no one behind. In this sense, the identification and elimination of inequalities is one of the pillars of Cuba's development strategy.
In the midst of the financial tensions caused by the unilateral measures taken by the United States government to limit access to international credit, Cuba has reaffirmed the social nature of the budget, dedicating 71% of expenditures to ensuring the continuity of free services in the areas of health, education, security, social assistance, access to culture and sports.
The Cuban State supports more than 189,000 families. Among the beneficiaries of social assistance programs are 3,769 mothers of severely handicapped children, and home help and transportation services are provided to receive specialized care outside the area of residence.
As part of the implementation of the policy of Attention to Demographic Dynamics and the Program for the Advancement of Women, it was approved to extend the payment of the social benefit for maternity up to 15 months.
The National Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030 includes, among its programs, the implementation of public policies aimed at social prevention, access to and quality of social services, which will allow us to achieve higher levels of human development, equity and social justice in society.