Violence against women can be found in many forms -- physical, sexual and psychological. It is a globally latent problem where one in every three women has has been subjected to some kind of abuse, according to international organizations.
COVID-19 has aggravated this situation. The months of confinement to prevent the spread of the disease caused by the new coronavirus has placed this sector of the population in a condition of great vulnerability.
According to an article by UN Women, the pandemic has become the environment to exercise a controlling and violent behavior at the home.
In Cuba, where the Revolution has dignified women and their work, efforts are made to completely eradicate this problem through institutions and organizations such as the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC).
Actually, the FMC recently presented its first campaign against gender based violence, extended until March 8, 2021 and accesible on diverse platforms of social networks and mass media.
Although Cuba has developed several policies and programs, as well as implemented social and economic measures to favor and protect women, there are still manifestations of machismo and gender stereotypes.
This campaign joins a large number of actions undertaken to preserve the integrity of women, in which the FMC has played a leading role.
We owe to this organization the creation, 30 years ago, of the Women and Family Orientation Houses, a community space intended for reflection, education, guidance and recreation. It also assisted in the establishment of the Chair on Women and Family and the Center for Women's Studies.
The recognition of rights of this population segment is also included in the new Constitution. The Magna Carta grants in several of its articles the privilege of a life free of violence, hence, establishes the commitment to confront it.
Cuba has worked tirelessly in favor of women, with the aim of achiving their full incorporation into society; a goal set by the historic leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro, and which today allows us to showcase advances in this field that have been internationally acknowledged.
