Fidel Castro - Status of Women

Already in 1934, before the revolution, women had the right to vote in Cuba. They also had the right to work, study and sue for divorce. Despite the fact that they had the rights for equality, these rights were not upheld. Only occupations such as teaching or nursing were deemed appropriate for women, as they held less responsibility that other occupations. In the middle and upper classes the home were encouraged to be housewives.It was in Cuba's interest to defend women's rights as the women were much needed in the workforce in order to produce record harvests. This meant that the government had to fight both the discrimination towards women at workplaces, and finding a way to balance the women's work and household life.

To enable this new laws were implemented, that enforced the old equality laws. The women were offered training at technical and professional levels to prepare them for occupations with greater responsibility. This opened many fields to the female population of Cuba.

In Castro's reign women were expected to:

- Leave their families and homes for an extended period of time to work at 'Agricultural Legions' helping with agriculture.
- Be efficient workers
- Participate in Political life
- Volunteer to serve the revolution

STILL being:
- Wives
- Mothers
- Housewives

Women's newly enforced role in the workforce created some problems. Whilst women got more time in the workplace, the men did not give up more, or any, time for the household work, nor did they want to live with a woman who potentially would be economically independent. This lead to many women giving up their working life, and returning to being housewives only.

In the 1970's a new 'Family Code' was implemented, which states that men had to share the household deeds and help in the education of the children, and not complying was to be punished as exploitation women. The 'Family Code' was not as successful as hoped.

(All information is from Pearsons 'History, 20th century world, Authoritarian and Single-Party States', 2010)