Cuban Women's Rights Movement Analysis

From 1956 to 1989, multiple social, political, and cultural movements transpired in Cuba. Throughout this time, women in Hispanic society experienced severe discrimination, oppression, and inflexible gender roles. After the previous dictator, Fulgencio Batista, was overthrown by Fidel Castro, the societal and cultural structure in Cuba was radically transformed. Literacy increased among the classes, racism drastically decreased, multiple public healthcare institutions were installed, employment opportunities increased, and Women's Rights movements ensued. During this time period, numerous middle and upper-class women implemented strong writing, networking and communication skills as well as organized large-scale protests in Cuba to catalyze

Cuban women were severely overworked with little pay and had little participation in society, politics, or government. Malnutrition, disease, and poverty only further contributed to societal decay and advanced the repression during this time. In the familial environment of Cuban culture, authoritarian male control was exerted over female members, but not male members. These conditions were directly explicated in an account from Ofelia Domínguez Navarro, a female socialist, in which she explains the conditions, gender inequality, and a male-dominated rule that was imposed on female Cubans during the Cuban Revolution. She states that "A son was freed from paternal authority when he reached the age of majority, but both the mother and the daughters of the family had to tolerate that male authority as long as they lived with the father or the husband. Article 154 of the Spanish Civil Code states that the father exercises Patria Potestad [patriarchal power]. These conditions prevailed until 1959." Her candid description illustrates the deeply discriminatory laws in society against Hispanic women prior to the movements for women's rights. It directly connects to various other descriptions of the oppression that transpired throughout this time. As a female Cuban feminist, it makes sense that Navarro has a deep, accurate understanding of the oppression that what was

After the direct expulsion of Batista, numerous socio-economic reformations were implemented. Society, culture, and politics dramatically improved as a result of the Cuban revolution. New educational institutions were established, racism was diminished, and efforts to improve international relations with the United States were commenced. Castro enacted multiple nationalist movements that radically restructured Cuba's structure. During this time, the governmental system shifted from a dictatorial rule to a socialist state and new revolutions were established. The fight for women's independence was catalyzed and multiple feminist groups, activists, and socialist made progress in the battle for liberation. New job opportunities, educational institutes, and health care was established. Various reactions were present during and after the revolution. Many Cuban individuals were happy with the progress transpiring. However, other women believed that the revolution was only a starting point and that further advancement was