50th Anniversary of Women Federation Celebrated in Cuba

Cuban women celebrated the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) at a ceremony attended by President Raul Castro

With an oath to defend and continue to improve the Cuban revolution and the socialist system, Cuban women celebrated the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) at a ceremony attended by President Raul Castro.

FMC Secretary General Yolanda Ferrer presented Raul with a framed copy of the text of the FMC’s oath, which she read before the audience gathered at the Universal Hall of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) in Havana.

“The FMC,” it reads, “is a bastion of the political vanguard of the Cuban people. Its creative, active members are ready to take on any challenges.”

In his speech, First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers Jose Ramon Machado said that the history of Cuba cannot be written without making reference to the role played by women. “Throughout these years of struggle,” he said, “there has not been a single economic, social or political deed, a scientific, cultural or political accomplishment in which women have not taken part.”

Machado spoke of the situation of women before the 1959 triumph of the Cuban revolution and how they were subjected to all kinds of racial, class and gender discrimination. In contrast, more than four million women are now members of the FMC, representing 88.5 percent of Cuban women over the age of 14. They also represent 46 percent of the labor force in the civil state sector, and 65.1 percent of technicians and professionals.

Machado noted that although Cuban women enjoy greater social equity, there is still much to be done, and as an example spoke of how Cuban society still views domestic work as the responsibility of women.

He added that the number of women in management positions is still low, and stressed the need to work towards making Fidel’s dream of a government of men and women come true.

With regards to the FMC, he spoke about the importance of improving efficiency and the work carried out in the communities with young and old generations alike.

He ratified the Party and leadership’s confidence in Cuban women, as the honorable and faithful followers of the eternal founder of the FMC, the late Vilma Espin, a woman who was “an example of abnegation, determination and love.”

Another gift for the Cuban FMC members on their special day was a message by two of the Cuban Five —five antiterrorist fighters who for more than twelve years have been unfairly imprisoned in the United States— expressing their eternal gratitude and admiration of Cuban women.

The ceremony also included the screening of Sentirte mujer, a documentary by journalist Eva Maura Diaz, and a performance by the Camerata Romeu women’s string orchestra.

Attending the celebration were Party and government leaders, FMC representatives from each of Cuba’s fifteen provinces, a group of the organization’s founders, relatives of the Cuban Five, and representatives of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior.

As part of the celebrations for this 50th anniversary of the FMC, 16 outstanding members of the organization were awarded the Ana Betancourt Order, granted by the Council of State at the request of the FMC.

The women received the decorations from the hands of First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers Jose Ramon Machado, Politburo member Concepción Campa Huergo, and FMC Secretary General Yolanda Ferrer.

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