UNITED STATES BLOCKADE VIOLATES WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN CUBA, ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE TOLD
Press Release
WOM/884
UNITED STATES BLOCKADE VIOLATES WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN CUBA, ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE TOLD
19960122 The United States blockade was the greatest violation of women's rights in Cuba, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was told this morning as it considered that country's combined second and third report.The General Secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women, Yolanda Ferrer Gomez, said the United States had recently tightened the blockade in a deliberate, criminal and genocidal aggression. As a result, there was a shortage of products, and the nutrition levels of pregnant women and children were adversely affected. However, despite economic and political pressures, Cuba was number one in Latin America in women's education, and no schools, childcare centres, hospitals or factories had been shut down.
Experts of the 23-member Committee, which monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, generally praised the report and Cuba for its achievements in the fields of education and health. Some experts asked why, unlike most countries, Cuba had more men than women.
The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue discussion of the report of Cuba.
Committee Work Programme
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women met this morning to begin its consideration of the second and third periodic report of Cuba (document CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3), covering the period from 1983 to 1990, and an addendum (CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3/Add.1) for the period 1983 to 1994, submitted under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Article 18 provides that States parties shall undertake to submit to the Secretary-General, for consideration by the Committee, a report on the legislative, judicial, administrative or other measures which they have adopted to give effect to the provisions of the Convention.
The report covering the period from 1983 to 1990 states that the male- female ratio in the country was 101.04 males to every 100 females. More than 72 per cent of the inhabitants lived in urban areas; 27.2 per cent lived in rural areas. Life expectancy at birth had increased considerably for both sexes with the figures higher for females. The fertility levels were among the lowest in Latin America.
All citizens in Cuba were guaranteed food at reasonable prices and free education and health services, according to the report. Several day-care centres to look after the needs of children of working women had been set up.
The role of men in domestic chores and in the care of children remained minimal or nil, the report states. The national machinery responsible for promoting women's equality was the Federation of Cuban Women, a non- governmental organization with a broad social base. The Federation was represented through its Chairwoman in the Council of State, the supreme government body responsible for legislating and formulating policies.
The Cuban Constitution had established universal suffrage and all men and women above sixteen were entitled to vote, the report adds. The fundamental law of Cuba recognized the equality of all citizens and the infringement of the right to equal treatment was a criminal offense. The practise of prostitution was an offense under the penal code and the country was a party to the Convention on Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of Prostitutes and Others.
The minimum age for marriage was eighteen years and was based on total equality of spouses, according to the report. The financial regime governing marriage was the system of joint estate. Divorce proceeding could be initiated by either spouse. The law entitled widowed working women to receive a pension. The authorities were required to maintain suitable working conditions for women and to keep in mind the physical capabilities of pregnant women and give them due regard.
The report states that the Labour Code of the country provided for paid antenatal and post-natal maternity leave, as well as hospital and medical
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services and free-of-charge supply of medication and food required by expectant mothers. Working women were provided with 18 weeks of paid leave and the law required them to take six weeks of leave of absence after the thirty-fourth week of pregnancy and the remaining 12 after giving birth.
The need for contraceptives in the country was not fully met, according to the report. However, abortion facilities were freely available to women up to the tenth week of pregnancy at no charge and at the woman's own request.
In 1989, Cuba's illiteracy rate was less than 3.9 per cent, the report says. Education, including university education, was free, and children were provided with free books up to the pre-university level. Equality of opportunity in education for men and women was a reality. However, preferences were still shown for particular subjects by boys and girls.
The addendum to the report states that amendments to the Constitution in 1992 had enhanced the equality of men and women. Men and women were to enjoy equal rights in economic, political, cultural, social and family spheres and the State guaranteed that women were to be given the same opportunities as men to achieve their full participation in the country's development.
Prostitution was dealt not solely through legal measures but through social, educative, psychological and economic measures as well, the report adds. The Constitution provided that the citizenship of spouses and of their children not be affected by marriage or its dissolution.
The creation of women and family counselling centres under the aegis of the Federation of Cuban Women was under way, according to the report. Those centres would provide information and training to women in legal and other matters. A mass media campaign had been organized to publicize the contents of the Convention to mark the tenth anniversary of its adoption. A recently introduced provision in the Cuban law provided women with the right to use summary proceedings to obtain maintenance payments.
In 1994, women accounted for 40.6 per cent of the labour force -- up from 38.7 per cent in 1989 -- 61.9 per cent of employees in the specialist categories and 28 per cent of managerial personnel, the report says. Women's participation in areas considered traditionally "unsuited to women" had also increased. Cuba currently had eight women ambassadors, seven counsellors and five counsellor officers. Women made up 12 per cent of the Politburo members and 16.4 per cent of the membership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party.
In the mountainous zones, efforts were being made to improve the retention rate of young graduates with technical training, the report states. Measures were being taken to develop additional employment for women in
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farming and livestock sectors and to curb exodus to cities and towns. Women's right to inherit land was provided for under the Agrarian Reform Act. The school retention rate for the 1994-1995 academic year was 97.8 per cent.
The development process in Cuba was threatened by adverse circumstances, including by the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the East European socialist countries and the economic embargo imposed by the United States.
Introduction of Report
Introducing the report of Cuba, YOLANDA FERRER GOMEZ, General Secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women, said her country was the first to sign the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the second to ratify it.
In 1989, 85 per cent of its trade was with the former Soviet Union and the socialist countries, she said. During the years after the revolution a number of measures were carried out to improve the conditions of the people, particularly of women. For more than 30 years the relations with the socialist camp had offset the United States embargo against Cuba. At a time to celebrate the end of the cold war, the United States had stepped up the pressure of the blockade in a deliberate, criminal and genocidal aggression against Cuba. The conditions created by the embargo had put immense pressure on women and was the greatest violation of women's rights in Cuba. The blockade had affected not only North American companies but their subsidiaries all over the world. The embargo had led to shortages of products and had affected adversely the nutrition levels of pregnant women and children.
Commenting on article 1 of the Convention -- which defines discrimination against women as any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex that impairs the exercise by women, on a basis of equality with men, of human rights and fundamental freedoms -- she said such equality was guaranteed by her Government.
She said Cuba fully subscribed to article 2, by which States parties agree to combat discrimination against women in various ways, including the adoption of laws prohibiting discrimination, and ensuring that public authorities and institutions refrain from discrimination. Regular assessments and analysis were done to ensure that discrimination was not exercised by any institutions or bodies. Efforts were also being taken to inform women of their legal rights.
On article 3, which says that States parties agree to make changes in their laws as necessary to guarantee women their basic rights and freedoms, said women participated equally in all spheres in Cuba. Commenting on economic difficulties in her country, she added that the suffering due to the
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embargo was shared by all. However, at no point had Cuba shut down factories, schools or hospitals; prices had been frozen.
Concerning article 4, which states that temporary measures taken to accelerate women's equality, as well as maternity protection measures, shall not be considered discriminatory, she said women had the right to spend eight additional months with their newborn, in addition to their maternity leave.
On article 5, under which States parties are required to eliminate practices based on the idea of the inferiority or superiority of either sex, and to ensure that family education teaches that men and women share a common role in bringing up children, she said development programmes had been set up to change the socio-cultural patterns of how men and women behaved. In addition, centres providing guidance for women and their family had been set up.
Speaking on article 7, which provides that women shall share on equal terms with men in the political and public life of the country, she said women formed over half the electorate. Voting was free, voluntary and secret. No economic resources were needed to stand for elections and no candidate was proposed by the party or any organizations. It was the people's right to propose, and women's participation in formulating government policies was high.
Regarding articles 8 and 9, which state that women shall be given the opportunity to represent their governments at all international levels and that they shall have equal rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality and that of their children, and that marriage shall not force a woman to change her nationality, she said the report provided adequate information of the state of these rights in her country.
On article 10, which calls for women to be granted equal rights with men in education, she said, despite economic and political pressures, Cuba was number one in Latin America in the level of its women's education. Special education for the disabled had also been provided. The participation of girls at every level of education was high; 74.5 per cent of students at the pre- university level were women.
Concerning article 11, which obliges States to eliminate discrimination against women in employment, and to prevent discrimination against women on the grounds of marriage or maternity, she continued that the right of women to work and get technical education was recognized. Efforts were also being made to ensure that women did not lose their jobs due to streamlining. Alternative sources of work were sought for those that did lose their jobs. Employees of factories that had been closed had been redeployed into other socially useful work. Particular attention had been given in such redeployment to women who
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were sole breadwinners for their families. Not a single child-care centre had been closed, nor their staff reduced as a result of streamlining and due to paucity of funds. However, no new ones had been opened; night-time work had been jeopardized due to shortage of electricity.
On article 12, which provides for measures to be taken to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of health care, she said life expectancy for women was 77.6 years and infant mortality was 9.4 per cent. No hospitals had been closed and no health care personnel had been released from their jobs, but there was a shortage of pharmacies. However, the Government had tried to ensure distribution and no one had died for lack of treatment. Pharmaceutical companies which had maintained relations with Cuba for a long time had recently informed her Government that they would not be able to provide any more medicines due to prohibition by United States federal agencies. A shortage of condoms existed; however IUDs were inserted free of charge. A factory for the production of oral contraceptives would begin production in Cuba in the near future.
Answering questions posed by the Committee at its previous meeting, she said the Beijing Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women had not been a challenge for Cuba, where most of the rights mentioned in the Platform had been achieved. However, women still had to break through cultural and attitudinal changes. Responding to a question about investigations on discrimination against women, she said the violation of the right to equality was a criminal offense in her country; a complaint by a woman in this regard was sufficient to begin a preliminary investigation. In the case of violence, women could go to authorities with documented cases of injury.
Commenting on attitudinal changes, she said, the principle of equality had been strengthened in 1992 by changes in the Constitution. Moreover, the family code recognized the economic value of household work. Non-sexist patterns in distribution of tasks were being encouraged. Parents were being educated to prevent conflict in children's education at school and at home. The Ministry of Public Health and the Federation had launched a programme of responsible parenting. The messages of mass media about equality were also important in that regard. A weekly prime time programme to address the issue was being considered.
Violence against women at home was not a social phenomenon, she continued. Cuban women were protected by law against violence of any kind. Prostitution in that country had re-emerged due to tourism and other reasons. Its eradication was a priority to the Government and the Federation. The national sexual education centre had also undertaken to educate prostitutes and their families. Official warnings were issued to prevent criminal activities from taking place. There were also re-education measures and
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vigilance by other State bodies. The Cuban Government must step up its monitoring of prostitution.
On article 7, concerning political participation by women, she said prerequisites, such as equal opportunity, encouraged participation by Cuban women in political life. Regular assessments were carried out to identify what had been achieved and what difficulties had been encountered. The Government was trying to do advocacy work on the issue through the media. The law regulating the qualifications required for employment of civil servants encouraged women to take up positions of leadership. Although there was a clear policy in place, there were more men than women in positions of political leadership.
She said the number of women occupying high-level positions was increasing slightly. In the Council of State, the percentage of women deputies was 16.1 per cent. The number of women Vice-Ministers had increased to 17. In the legal system, 34.6 per cent of leadership positions were held by women. In the courts, 43.8 per cent of professional judges were women. In the diplomatic service, there were eight ambassadors, seven counsellors and five women in charge of consulates.
Regarding non-governmental organizations, she said there was a tendency abroad to think that the Cuban revolution eliminated civil society as it had existed. That was partially true as some organizations were disbanded because they were no longer needed due to the formulation of government programmes. However, other organizations sprang up after the revolution which represented the interest of the majority, such as the Federation of Cuban Women. There was an appropriate legal framework for channelling various professional organizations, provided that their objective was in the social interest. Cuban women had their right to association fully recognized through the Federation.
Referring to article 11 and the percentage of women in the workforce, she said there was no discrimination as to what work women could do. They had access to all employment sectors and the law established equal opportunity. Women comprised 40.6 per cent of the labour force and 30.8 per cent of the production area. Article 42 of the Constitution stated the right of equal pay for equal work. However, there was a higher percentage of women in the non- productive sector where salaries were lower. The matter of wage differentials based on gender was still being studied and analysed by the Government.
Regarding article 12, which deals with health issues, she said health services for women were provided free of charge. The Government was now focusing on child and maternal health. The percentage of children dying at birth whose mothers were aged 15 to 19 was decreasing. Fertility rates had also declined in the last 10 years. Education programmes were under way on
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how to avoid pregnancy at an early age. In 1995, the infant mortality rate was 9.4 per thousand live births.
Abortion could be undertaken for various reasons. Many abortion-related deaths involved ectopic pregnancies. The rate of maternal mortality as a result of abortion had decreased and was about 6.4 per thousand. Abortion was the third cause of maternal mortality.
In reference to article 14 and the situation of rural women, she said by the agrarian reform act of 1959 women could have title to land on an equal footing with men. Women represented 9 per cent of land owners in the country. As to the rights of credit and bank loans to small farmers, women enjoyed the same rights as men.
On article 16 and the equality of women's rights in matters relating to marriage and the family, she said that marriage for girls at fourteen and boys at sixteen was an exception to the rule of marriage at age eighteen and could only be undertaken when authorized by relatives or the court. Given social conditions, Cuba's legislation on marriage could not be seen as a contravention of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Discussion of Report
The Chairman of the Committee, IVANKA CORTI of Italy, said the economic embargo against Cuba had not achieved the desired political results. Instead it had placed citizens, especially women and children, in a situation of deprivation. In spite of the serious economic situation, achievements had continued in the fields of education and health. It was deplorable that Committee guidelines were not followed in the written report. However, the Government should be commanded for its follow-up to the Women's Conference. Even if achievements had been realized, she said she could not see how the Federation of Cuban Women could serve as the national machinery for women's rights. More attention should be paid to the problem of prostitution.
In general, experts congratulated the Cuban representative for the report and her answers to previously submitted Committee questions. One expert noted that last September, the Cuban National Assembly had approved a new foreign investment law which encouraged some privatization. She asked how social services such as sanitation and water supply would be affected by the new law. She also questioned whether there were stereotypical roles assigned to different races in Cuba and asked whether black Cubans had been involved in preparation of the report.
Another expert asked whether the Government's reservation to article 9 of the Convention, concerning women's right to nationality, would be withdrawn. She also asked why there were more males in Cuba than females;
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most countries had more women than men. Asking a similar question, another expert commended Cuba for its achievements in the fields of education and health.
Another expert said that the report did not contain much information about social minorities. While the revolution had opened doors for women, there was sometimes a problem of lack of freedom. Specific information should be provided regarding complaints that had been brought forward by women. She asked whether any kind of elite women's group had been established now that privatization was under way. Another expert asked why, 35 years after the revolution, it was still not possible to uproot sexual stereotypes in Cuban life. She asked whether women had proper representation in high levels of government and business. Television programming to combat stereotyping should be encouraged. More information on how leisure time was spent by Cuban men and women should be provided. She asked how the Government planned to combat stereotyping.
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