The Empowerement of Cuban Women [View all]

[Mika]

The Empowerement of Cuban Women

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According to the latest census, nearly half of Cuba’s heads of households are women. Women are the heads of families in 44.9 % of the country’s households, something which represents a significant development when we recall that, in 1981, only 30 % of them occupied this position.

There are many factors behind the empowerment of Cuban women, but one of the most important is their massive incorporation into the workforce and higher education – 66 percent of Cuba’s professionals and experts are female, as are 50 % of the country’s healthcare workers. This gives women the possibility of supporting their children as men can. In addition, Cuban women earn the same salaries men do, something which isn’t very common around the world.
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The participation of Cuban women in politics is notable. A total of 48 percent of the country’s deputies are women, or so Maria de los Angeles Florez, Cuban Ambassador before UNESCO, tells us. Today, Cuba is even prioritizing the appointment of female public officials. The truth of the matter, however, is that this trend predates the revolution.
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Current Cuban legislation is particularly protective of mothers: the children of working and single mothers are prioritized in State kindergartens. Women enjoy a 6-month, fully-paid maternity leave (which can be extended an additional 6 months, at 60% of their salaries). This leave can be granted the mother or the father. No Cuban woman can be fired because of pregnancy or lose their position following her maternity leave.

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