With new options for overcoming and incorporating the female force into economic and social development plans, the National Program for the Advancement of Women (PAM) materializes in Cuba, implemented since 2021 to promote gender equality and equal rights, opportunities and possibilities.
Reina de la Caridad Torres Pérez, deputy to the National Assembly of People's Power and member of the Provincial Secretariat of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), highlighted that public policies are being implemented aimed at suppressing manifestations of violence and discrimination that hinder greater economic results, political, social and family.
The creation of an advisory group, made up of experts from different disciplines who are part of the parliamentary commission for Attention to Youth, Children and Women's Equality Rights, constitutes a strength to implement this government plan, he explained.
She referred to empowerment through the EspuMás project, with employment opportunities through the rental of washing machines and facilities to purchase detergent, so that they can offer a useful service in distant communities.
She specified that in Ciego de Ávila 13 women are covered by this initiative, including six from the town of Punta Alegre, identified on the political map of the territory as having conditions of vulnerability.
At the national level, the campaign called Together for non-violence against women is being developed, a map of services was designed with contacts for the care of victims of discriminatory expressions based on gender and courses are given for training in trades traditionally considered masculine.
She underlined the entry into force of the Decree Law "On the maternity of the worker and the responsibility of the families" as a guarantee of the right to reproduction and in accordance with the needs of population replacement in a nation with a high degree of aging and an increase in migrations abroad.
In settlements in conditions of vulnerability, the synergies between PAM and the national programs for Attention to Demographic Dynamics and the Transformation of Neighborhoods and Communities are expressed, through which conditions are created to improve the quality of life of women and stimulate their incorporation into economic activities, she argued.
The actions in localities of the territory of Ciego de Ávila contemplate the allocation of houses and benefits of economic aid to mothers with three or more children and the construction of children's houses for the care of boys and girls, in a way that facilitates the insertion in productive activities and; therefore, economic independence, she added.
Torres Pérez, a member of the Agrifood Commission of the National Assembly, emphasized the contribution of these government programs to the increase in the rate of female economic activity, which has tended to decrease in recent years.
These programs also contribute to improving the quality of life in rural areas, which helps to contain migration to the city in an eminently agricultural province and with 73.6 percent of the population concentrated in urban areas, according to studies by the Demographic Observatory, she stated.
The parliamentarian pondered that the Family Code recognizes the rights of women and is projected in favor of gender protection and equality by granting economic value to work in the home and emphasizing the equitable distribution of domestic responsibilities.
It establishes the diversity of family models and respect for sexual and reproductive rights, addresses consequences of separation or divorce, preferences for property inheritance and widowhood pensions, and other relevant issues for women, she added.
It introduces concepts such as parental responsibility, multiparental families, shared custody and care, solidarity gestation and the union of affective effect, all favoring the fight for equality; in addition to offering protection in situations of family violence involving women and girls.
To continue advancing in the PAM, it is necessary to streamline the search for jobs, continue the constitution of gender committees, expand capacities for childcare, ensure and specify actions in the municipalities and incorporate more women into non-traditional jobs, she pointed out.
Likewise, it is necessary to promote equality, respect for diversity and confront discrimination, in addition to counteracting social problems such as teenage pregnancy, she indicated.
Bárbara Terry Depestre, also a deputy to the National Assembly of People's Power and judge of the People's Provincial Court, highlighted the social evolution of Cuban women as a result of the revolutionary triumph of January 1959 and the efforts of Vilma Espín and Fidel Castro, main promoters of the recognition and I respect that figure.
She stressed that Cuba is the second nation in the world with the highest presence of women in Parliament and promotes them to leadership positions according to their abilities, which reaffirms the political will to give them the place they deserve and take advantage of their potential to channel progress.
She underlined that the PAM, approved by Presidential Decree number 198 of the year 2021, constitutes a cornerstone in the development of policies in favor of Cuban women.
