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The Cuban state press celebrated this Tuesday a new ranking published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which places Cuba as the country with the highest proportion of female inventors worldwide.
The data indicates that 53% of the individuals cited in international patent applications during 2021 were Cuban women.
The report highlights Cuba as a leader among 74 analyzed countries, followed by the Philippines and Portugal, and above Latin American nations like Costa Rica, Peru, and Chile. Globally, only 17% of individuals named in patent applications are women, which underscores the uniqueness of the Cuban statistic.
Upon hearing the news, the reaction of Cuban women on social media was swift, making it clear that true female ingenuity on the island is far from laboratories and patent offices.
Cubadebate highlighted the figure as an achievement of the state system, but Cuban women view it differently and reacted with comments filled with irony, indignation, and humor, as most consider that being inventors is not a merit associated with science, but rather a necessity imposed by the economic and social crisis facing the country.
"Invention" as a survival method in Cuba
On social media, dozens of Cuban women shared their own definitions of the everyday "invention" in the island. One user commented: "Ohhh, there’s no doubt about it. They have to invent ways to cook, invent how to have electricity, invent how to convert pesos into dollars, invent how to leave the country, invent how to feed their children. They really hit the nail on the head there."
Another woman expressed: "In every home in Cuba, there are generations of inventive women who spend the day figuring out what to serve for breakfast, what to send as snacks to school, and how to dress and shoe their children. 99% of the women in Cuba are indeed inventors; the other 1% are like Liz Cuesta and the wives of the leaders, who live the life that is denied and stolen from the rest."
Forced creativity due to scarcity was the common thread in most of the comments. "I confirm, I had to invent a way to light the charcoal without any flammable liquid. It was a difficult and exhausting process, but it was worth it when I developed the new technique. How can I file for my patent?" joked another Cuban.
The men also joined the conversation, acknowledging the creative burden that mainly falls on Cuban women.
A user wrote: "There we have a world record. All Cuban women are inventors: they invent breakfast, lunch, dinner, they invent how to cook without electricity, and they use advanced mathematics at a godly level to make a salary that isn't enough for seven days last the whole month."
Another was more direct: "Inventors are the nine million Cubans who move forward despite everything."
While the Cuban government presents the ranking as an achievement in gender equality on the island, the responses from women reflect a very different reality. Invention, far from being a scientific advancement, is the daily strategy to cope with scarcity, inflation, and uncertainty.
The paradox did not go unnoticed by many users: "It's true, we deserve that credit. The Cuban woman is the one who has to be the most resourceful to put a meal on the table. Especially in the kitchen and making a pension or salary last for the whole month. No one can beat us. We are the best in the whole wide world."
Frequently Asked Questions about Invention and the Crisis in Cuba
Why is Cuba highlighted in the ranking of women inventors according to WIPO?
Cuba stands out in the ranking of women inventors because 53% of the individuals cited in international patent applications during 2021 were Cuban women. However, many Cuban women believe that this invention is not related to science, but rather to the necessity imposed by the economic and social crisis facing the country.
How does the Cuban population respond to the energy crisis?
The Cuban population responds to the energy crisis with creativity and ingenuity, developing alternative methods for cooking and carrying out daily tasks. This includes everything from using makeshift solar panels to generate electricity to cooking with charcoal or firewood in the absence of gas and electricity.
What role do social media play in the current situation in Cuba?
Social media plays a crucial role as a platform for denunciation and expression for Cubans. Through them, individuals share their experiences and the creative solutions they find to face the crisis, as well as express their frustration and raise awareness about the situation on the island.
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