The Cuban government announced the implementation of a telephone hotline in 40 municipalities across the country aimed at providing immediate assistance to victims of gender-based violence, collecting data, and generating statistics on the issue, as well as training professionals in the field. This initiative is part of the project "Support for the National Response to Gender-Based Violence," coordinated by the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and funding from the Canadian embassy in Cuba.
The communication campaign "Turning a Blind Eye is also Violence" was launched as part of efforts to raise awareness and improve the institutional response to gender-based violence. According to Fátima Abdula Ruiz, head of the legal department at the National Center for Sexual Education (CENESEX), institutions must take an active role not only in providing services to victims but also in promoting social changes to address this issue.
The announcement of this helpline comes in an alarming context. In recent months, multiple femicides have been recorded on the island, causing concern among civil society and independent feminist platforms such as Alas Tensas and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba. Recent cases like the murder of Yaricza Chávez in Ciego de Ávila at the hands of her ex-partner and the crime of Yaniset Serrano in Artemisa reflect the urgency for effective policies against gender-based violence.
Official figures released by the government have shown an increase in cases of gender-based violence. According to the Attorney General's Office, by October 2023, 117 femicides were reported, a figure higher than that recorded by independent observers. Furthermore, in 2023, 110 femicides and 378 cases of sexual violence were tried in the country. However, femicide is not defined in the Cuban Penal Code, which complicates the categorization of these crimes and their proper legal processing.
In response to growing social concern, the government created a national system for the registration, attention, follow-up, and monitoring of gender-based violence. This system is composed of 25 experts from the Ministry of the Interior, the Attorney General's Office, and the People's Supreme Court, and aims to collect statistical data for the prevention of these crimes. However, feminist platforms have pointed out that transparency in disclosing these figures remains insufficient and that the state does not acknowledge the severity of the problem using internationally accepted terminology.
While the government implements these new strategies, independent platforms have reinforced their contact channels so that victims or witnesses can safely report cases of gender-based violence. Through encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp or Messenger and email channels, these organizations continue documenting femicides and advocating for greater transparency and effective public policies.
The debate on gender violence in Cuba remains open, with an increasingly active civil society denouncing these incidents and a state facing criticism for the lack of concrete measures and the omission of terms such as "femicide" in its legal framework. The effectiveness of the new hotline will depend on its responsiveness and the political will to ensure the actual protection of women in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gender-Based Violence in Cuba
What is the phone number to report gender-based violence in Cuba?
The telephone line is an initiative of the Cuban government to provide immediate assistance to victims of gender-based violence in 40 municipalities, gather data, and train professionals on the subject. It is part of the project "Support for the national response to gender-based violence," coordinated by the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC).
What is the current situation of gender violence in Cuba?
Gender violence in Cuba is an escalating issue, with a rise in cases of feminicides and sexual violence. In 2023, 117 feminicides were reported according to official figures, although feminicide is not classified in the Cuban Penal Code. The lack of transparency in official statistics and the omission of terms like "feminicide" complicate addressing the problem.
What criticisms do the measures taken by the Cuban government against gender violence face?
The measures taken by the Cuban government, such as the establishment of a system for registering and monitoring gender-based violence, have been criticized for their lack of effectiveness and transparency. Independent feminist platforms point out that the State does not acknowledge the seriousness of the problem with internationally accepted terminology.
How can victims of gender-based violence in Cuba report safely?
Victims or witnesses of gender violence in Cuba can make reports safely through encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp or Messenger, and via email channels. The feminist platforms Alas Tensas and Yo Sí Te Creo in Cuba provide these contact methods to document cases and advocate for effective public policies.
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