Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Camagüey, March 3.- The incorporation of women into employment and their promotion to management positions have been permanent priorities of the Federation of Cuban Women, both to guarantee their economic independence and to favor their personal and professional growth. This is not only a social goal but a strategic policy backed by national laws and programs.
In the province of Camagüey, the lives of thousands of families move to the rhythm of daily work and the challenges facing employment in one of the most extensive and populated regions of Cuba.
In addition to its cultural and historical wealth, Camagüey today is the scene of a key phenomenon for understanding local development: the participation of women in the labor market. The women of Camagüey combine roles as mothers, workers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Their effort reflects a complex reality, where the struggle for equal opportunities continues to be one of the main tasks of the present.
In this first five-year period of the National Program for the Advancement of Women, the country has taken significant steps towards gender equality, with visible achievements in both the economy and decision-making. Today, eyes are on how these policies impact the daily lives of women.
Currently, more than 4 million people are part of the Cuban workforce, of which just over 37% are women. In the state sector, their participation amounts to 46%, while in the non-state sector it represents almost 24%.
In the latest statistical employment report for the province, nearly 99 thousand women were integrated into the local economy, with participation in multiple sectors, including services, education, health, and public administration. However, the overload of domestic and unpaid care work limits full female economic participation. In Camagüey, as in the entire country, job fairs and employment guidance have opened new opportunities, contributing to reducing informality and promoting the technical training of the female workforce.
Although figures vary by activity, the key fact is that women outnumber men in technical and professional categories, which reflects solid training and a high educational level among the women of Camagüey.
However, a gap still exists in representation in management positions. In Cuba, at the institutional level, more than 53% of management positions in the State and Government are held by women, and in Parliament they reach 57%, placing the largest of the Antilles among the first countries in the world with a female majority in its legislative body. But representation in higher-ranking positions, such as the Council of Ministers, still requires attention, despite the existence of a reserve of women prepared to assume greater responsibilities.
This progress coincides with the priorities of the National Program for the Advancement of Women, led by the Federation of Cuban Women, which dedicates specific areas to access to decision-making and economic empowerment. However, fissures persist; for example, traditional sectors such as agriculture continue to see a female presence below the general average. This implies an additional challenge for public policies and institutional actions to promote a more balanced insertion in key productive activities.
In Camagüey, the incorporation of women into employment and management positions is a dynamic process. Sustained progress will depend on coherent public policies, equitable opportunities, and maintaining social and governmental commitment to gender equality. (María del Carmen Fuentes/TV Camagüey) (Photos: TV Camagüey)
