Díaz-Canel emphasized that measures are being adopted in the workplace to empower
the role of women. Photo: Radio Rebelde

Havana, July 16 (RHC)-- The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel highlighted Monday the progress of the National Program for the Advancement of Women (PAM), noting that it responds to the essence of the history of the Cuban Revolution.

Speaking at the Commission on Attention to Youth, Children and Women's Equal Rights, the president stressed that the issue of women's empowerment has always had an advanced approach in the Caribbean nation.

Díaz-Canel recalled that from the independence struggle of 1868 to the thoughts of the National Hero, José Martí (1853-1895), and the historic leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz (1926-2016), the need to strengthen the role of women in society was highlighted.

He stressed that every time a law is passed on the island, it is urged to analyze how it affects women, children, youth and adolescents and vulnerable people.

The head of state commented that in the municipalities a greater appreciation of the PAM can already be felt and in the workplaces measures are adopted to enhance the role of women.

"Today our women are moving forward, advancing, but there is still much to be done," said the Cuban president.

He specified that the Caribbean nation is in a process of perfecting public policies, for which it is necessary to integrate all the actors of society, as well as to promote participation and popular control.

During the debates of the commission, it was revealed that the rate of female economic activity is 52.7 %, 46 % being employed in the state sector and 24 % in the non-state sector. The gender gap in employment is 24.4 %.

Women represent 20.34% of the total number of women members of the National Association of Small Farmers (private) and the request for usufruct land is stimulated by 16,930 women.

The Federation of Cuban Women adopted a political assurance plan for the attention to the new economic actors and meetings have been held with women incorporated to them (Source: Prensa Latina).