CUBA AS A ROLE MODEL FOR WOMEN IN PUBLIC ROLES

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Conference
2012 National Women's Conference
Date
20 October 2011
Decision
Carried

Today only twenty two per cent of MPs in the House of Commons and twenty per cent of members of the House of Lords are women. Compare this with Cuba where women hold thirty five per cent of parliamentary seats in the Cuban National Assembly. Therefore Cuba ranks sixth out of one hundred and sixty two countries, regarding female participation in political life. In contrast the public sector cuts in this country are having a disproportionate affect on women and the government’s reform agenda will lead to an even bigger divide in society creating a negative impact on women in public roles.

The Cuban Constitution guarantees women economic, political, social, cultural and family rights and opportunities equal to those of men. Article 32 of the Cuban Constitution, states that women and men enjoy the same economic, political, cultural, social and family rights.

This conference therefore calls upon the National Women’s Committee to:

1)Work with Labour Link to encourage more women to become Councillors and MPs.

2)Work with the TUC and sister unions in promoting and encouraging women to become engaged in politics.

3)Encourage regions to promote courses that empower women to become activists.