Havana, August 15 (RHC)-- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel led the ceremony in recognition of women with recognized work in the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), held the day before at the Protocol Hall of El Laguito.

According to local media, in the political-cultural act, five female federates received the Mariana Grajales Order -the highest distinction granted by the organization-, 18 the Ana Betancourt Order and seven the 23 de Agosto distinction, reported the Cuban News Agency (Agencia Cubana de Noticias).

The second secretary of the FMC, Rosmery Santiesteban, recalled the figure of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro, the main promoter of the creation of the Federation along with the heroine Vilma Espín.

About the recognized women, she detailed that they have been an inseparable part of important processes, defending the right of women to participate in all the scenes of the country's life.

For her part, the Republic's Heroine of Labor, Bertha Luz Rodríguez, who was awarded the Mariana Grajales Order, expressed her pride and joy for achieving this important distinction, and said that during the ceremony many memories and anecdotes related to her work in the organization came to her mind.

The FMC develops policies and programs in the Caribbean nation aimed at achieving the full exercise of women's equality in all areas and levels of society.

Since its creation on August 23, 1960, the Federation's main objective has been the incorporation of women into society and employment, as well as into the program of social and economic changes underway in the country.   (Source:PL)