Related videos:
The official figures from the Cuban Observatory on Gender Equality, an entity affiliated with the Cuban government, confirm that violence against women increased in Las Tunas during 2024, with 22 cases recorded for gender-related reasons, two more than the previous year and double the national average, in a province that continues to lack effective responses to a problem that kills, injures, and silences.
According to the Observatory, in 2024, 230 cases of sexual offenses were judged in Cuban courts, which translates to a rate of 5.42 per 100,000 women. Of these, 120 cases (2.83 per 100,000 women) correspond to the crime of sexual assault, while 110 cases involve other types of sexual violence (2.59 per 100,000 women).
The provinces with the highest number of sexual violence cases were: Havana (51 with a rate of 6.32), Las Tunas (22 with a rate of 10.85), and Granma (21 with a rate of 6.63).
In this regard, a survey conducted by the official newspaper 26 revealed that 72% of respondents believe that current laws are insufficient or too lenient.
The above points to an urgent demand for legal reforms, faster judicial processes, and real and sustained protection for victims.
The same survey revealed another key piece of information: between 46 and 55% of the respondents believe that the increase in cases is also related to the lack of reports, driven by fear, distrust in institutions, and persistent social stigmatization, factors that turn each act of violence into a cycle of impunity.
It is noteworthy that even from official spaces such as the National Assembly of People's Power, it is acknowledged that even today many women are re-victimized when they dare to report, receiving questions like “And what did you do?”—a phrase that encapsulates decades of institutionalized machismo and the normalization of aggression within the home.
According to the media outlet, there is also concern about the normalization of that violence in popular culture. Some responses to the survey showed how the idea that "they ask for it" remains alive, blaming the victims and perpetuating a patriarchal view where women are seen as property or prizes, rather than as individuals with full rights.
He considered it encouraging "that we can be discussing issues around which, until recently, people were looking the other way."
He also appreciated that the country has a Cuban Observatory on Gender Equality that provides information on the evolution of femicides and, in general, violence based on gender in our country.
It would be advisable to also consider having that data at the provincial and even municipal level, to identify and, especially, prevent with greater precision something that should not exist, such as assaulting a woman simply for being one,” she emphasized.
Las Tunas has a serious and urgent problem. Machismo is not an opinion or a tradition: it is a structure that justifies violence, normalizes abuse, and turns institutional silence into complicity. Gender-based violence is not open for discussion; it must be fought against. And in Cuba, there is still much work to be done.
Independent platforms YoSíTe Creo en Cuba (YSTCC) and the Observatorio de Género de Alas Tensas (OGAT) confirmed on Wednesday a new femicide that occurred recently in Havana. This latest act of gender-based violence brings the total number of Cuban women killed for gender-related reasons to 22 so far in 2025.
The underreporting recorded by the observatories OGAT and YSTCC until this July 30 is 22 femicides, one male murder for gender-related reasons, and two attempted femicides.
In addition, three alerts are being investigated: one in Santiago de Cuba, one in Villa Clara, and another in Camagüey.
In 2024, 76 women were victims of femicide in Cuba, at the hands of their partners, ex-partners, or other individuals, as reported by the island's regime in a recent official report on extreme gender-based violence against females.
The Cuba Gender Equality Observatory made public the figure referring to the number of women aged 15 and older who have been "victims of intentional homicide (murder)" for gender-related reasons, without ever mentioning the term femicide.
The figure is much higher than the underreporting that independent feminist platforms recorded last year, which documented 56 femicides in 2024, according to the annual report published by OGAT.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gender Violence in Las Tunas, Cuba
How has gender violence evolved in Las Tunas during 2024?
In 2024, violence against women in Las Tunas increased, with 22 cases recorded for gender-related reasons, which is double the national average. This rise reflects the lack of effective responses and the urgent need for legal reforms and protection for victims.
What are the main barriers to reporting gender-based violence in Cuba?
The main barriers include fear, distrust in institutions, and social stigmatization. These factors perpetuate impunity and make it difficult for women to report abuses. The lack of institutional support and revictimization also contribute to many women not coming forward.
How does the Cuban government address the issue of femicides?
The Cuban government has been criticized for its lack of transparency and action regarding femicides. It does not officially acknowledge the term "femicide" and has not classified the crime in its Penal Code. Despite the establishment of a non-public registry of femicides, this institutional opacity limits access to data and hinders effective prevention and protection of women.
What role do independent platforms play in documenting femicides in Cuba?
Independent platforms like YoSíTeCreo in Cuba and the Gender Observatory of Alas Tensas have taken on the task of documenting femicides due to a lack of government transparency. These organizations operate with limited resources and face constant surveillance, yet they continue to fight for visibility and justice for the victims.
Filed under: