UN highlights Cuban efforts to wipe out violence against women
Campaign News | Tuesday, 25 November 2008
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cuba, Sussan McDade, stressed the work carried out in the island to empower genre equality, prevention and elimination of violence against women.
During the ceremony for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, held Tuesday at the University of Havana, McDade said that Cuba will be an active participant in the world campaign in defense of the women's human rights.
Meanwhile, Mayda Alvarez, member of the National Secretariat of the Cuban Women Federation (FMC) referred to the damage being inflicted on women who are the victims of exploitation, hunger and political conflicts in other countries.
Alvarez stressed the resistance of Cuban women against the US economic, commercial and financial blockade of their country, which she labeled a flagrant violation of human rights.
Since 1959, Cuban society has promoted equal rights and opportunities for women, Alvarez said and recalled that in Cuba, women have reached highself-esteem, professional and social development levels.
Activities for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women include scientific conferences, workshops and debates which willrun until next December 10th throughout the country.
The international day was established during the First Feminist Congress, held in Colombia in 1981. November 25 was the date picked for
the event, which marked the murder of three heroin Dominican women at the hands of the Trujillo dictatorship back in 1960.
