Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel marked International Day of Afro-descendant Women this Friday with a message on social media that, rather than reflecting progress, has been perceived as an act of empty propaganda in the face of a deeply unequal reality.
"More than just celebrating, we need actions that ensure their progress, their rights, and more," the leader wrote on his official X account, mentioning the National Program for the Advancement of Women as a banner of the regime's supposed inclusive policies.
However, the daily lives of thousands of Afro-descendant women on the island contrast sharply with the official narrative.
Marginalization, structural poverty, institutional racism, and repression are part of the daily reality for these invisible Cuban women, who face a context where being a woman, Black, and poor translates into a triple social condemnation.
Marthadela Tamayo, an Afro-Cuban activist and leader of the Women's Network of Cuba, has systematically denounced the feminization of poverty on the island and the repression against Black women who dare to question the statu quo.
"What progress is the government celebrating when it is us who stand in line to feed our families, the ones most affected by scarcity, violence, and state neglect?" she asked in an interview a few years ago with our publication.
“They want us Black women to be silent, grateful, and when we raise our voices, they call us 'worthless Blacks' and remind us that, without the revolution, we would be slaves," said the activist, who in December 2024 became the first Cuban to receive the Franco-German Human Rights Award for her fight for Afro-descendant women and vulnerable populations.
Tamayo has documented cases of institutional violence, arbitrary arrests, verbal and physical assaults, and social exclusion against Black and mixed-race women living in precarious settlements lacking basic services, especially those migrating from eastern provinces to Havana.
Despite the government's promotion of the Women's Advancement Program as a demonstration of political will, there is no Comprehensive Law Against Gender Violence in Cuba, nor public policies specifically focused on the welfare of Afro-descendant women, other activists point out.
Structural racism remains prevalent: Black women are overrepresented in the most precarious jobs, excluded from leadership positions, and lack real access to health care, decent employment, and social protection.
A report published last Friday by Artículo 14 indicated that "Poverty has a woman's face in Cuba."
Moreover, the "Caribbean tragedy, marked by hunger, scarcity, and a lack of freedoms, disproportionately affects women, exacerbating existing gender inequalities and adding an additional burden to their lives," as the responsibility of securing food is a daily odyssey that largely falls on women, along with the care of the elderly and children in the context of the migration crisis.
For many activists, Díaz-Canel's greeting is nothing more than a cosmetic maneuver that conceals a patriarchal and racist structure upheld by decades of authoritarian centralism.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of Afro-descendant Women in Cuba
What is the current situation of Afro-descendant women in Cuba?
Afro-descendant women in Cuba face a triple social condemnation, characterized by marginalization, structural poverty, and institutional racism. Despite official speeches, their daily reality is marked by social exclusion, repression, and lack of access to basic rights.
What is the National Program for the Advancement of Women in Cuba?
The National Program for the Advancement of Women is presented by the Cuban government as an initiative to promote gender equality. However, there are no specific public policies for the welfare of Afro-descendant women, and many activists believe that it is more of a propaganda act than a genuine effort to improve their living conditions.
What criticism is directed at the Cuban government regarding women's rights?
The Cuban government, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel, is criticized for its empty rhetoric and lack of concrete actions to improve the rights and conditions of women, especially those of African descent. Activists highlight the absence of a Comprehensive Law against Gender Violence and specific policies that address their needs.
How does the economic and social crisis affect women in Cuba?
The crisis in Cuba exacerbates gender inequalities, disproportionately affecting women, who face the daily challenge of securing food, caring for their families, and coping with the scarcity of basic services. Poverty has a woman's face in Cuba, which adds an additional burden to their lives.
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