Friday, March 18, 2016

Cuban Civil Society Presents Gender Equality Achievements at the UN
Representatives of Cuban civil society presented the achievements of the island in regards to gender equality and women’s empowerment on Wednesday, March 16, at the sixtieth session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Prensa Latina(PL) | internet@granma.cu
March 17, 2016 10:03:24

United Nations.— Representatives of Cuban civil society presented the achievements of the island in regards to gender equality and women’s empowerment this Wednesday, March 16, at the sixtieth session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a body created by the UN in 1946 to promote women’s empowerment.

The Director of the National Choir of Cuba, Digna Guerra, participated in parallel forums to the Commission’s main session, in which she stressed the political will and commitment of the government of Cuba to the leading political, economic and social role of women.

“We've heard all about the horrors committed against women around the world, and on comparing them with our own reality, we are appreciative and proud,” the member of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), one of the non-governmental organizations present at the CSW, told Prensa Latina.

According to Guerra, only with the political support of the state is it possible to achieve the full participation of women in society. In the Cuban context, this has resulted in access to health care, education, decent employment, sexual and reproductive rights and women’s presence in parliament (almost half of Cuban deputies are women) and the Council of State (45.2% women), among other achievements.

“Without this commitment little can be done, no matter the efforts undertaken by non-governmental organizations and civil society in general,” she stressed.

According to the director of the National Choir, the parallel forums held within the context of the CSW are of great importance, as they ensure the contribution of civil society to the Commission’s agenda, focused this year on ways to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Activists and social leaders participating in these events are making recommendations and proposals to the CSW, meeting at the United Nations headquarters from March 14-24.

No comments: