The initiative, coordinated by Laidi Fernández, Zaida Capote and Lourdes de Armas, members of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), defends purposes associated with the promotion of gender equality and the prevention of violence.
Lourdes de Armas, master in Religious Sciences and president of the narrative section of UNEAC, told Prensa Latina that the forum resulted from the need to establish a project to make women visible.
It aims “to teach within the current context and collective learning about gender equality,” and on previous occasions, the protagonists have been, for example, representatives of the tobacco sector, doctors and actresses.
The purpose is for “each one to tell their challenges;” therefore, in addition to their meetings in places like the Rubén Martínez Villena room at the UNEAC headquarters and the Book Fair, they plan to reach the workplaces to address these issues.
De Armas thanked Lis Cuesta, coordinator of Events and Culture-Tourism at the Ministry of Culture (MINCULT), and Maritza Carrillo, co-president of the Habanos S.A. corporation, for their support, and acknowledged them with silkscreens by Zaida del Río, National Plastic Arts Award winner in 2023.
During Friday’s meeting, Laidi Fernández mentioned the difficulties of being a mother and a leading woman at the same time, valued the evolution of this forum, held every two or three months, and the support from actress Corina Mestre.
The representatives of the Tabacuba company, in turn, highlighted the training opportunities in that Cuban corporation and the predominant presence of women in management positions and in the workforce.
Lis Cuesta reflected on the different views that exist on machismo by sectors and provinces, despite the permanence of programs for the advancement of women, political will and the prominence of women in various areas.
UNEAC Vice President Magda Resik and Deputy Minister of Culture Lillitsy Hernández Oliva commented on some difficulties they have faced during the exercise of their responsibilities.
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