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Vol. 77/No. 41      November 18, 2013

 
Montreal: Mariela Castro discusses
gains for Cuban women, gays
 
BY KATY LEROUGETEL
AND JOHN STEELE 
MONTREAL — Mariela Castro Espín, director of Cuba’s National Center for Sex Education and a delegate to Cuba’s National Assembly, spoke at the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre here Oct. 20 about gay rights and women’s right to abortion in Cuba, where women have made giant social advances since the 1959 socialist revolution that brought workers and farmers to power there.

“Before the revolution, many women sought clandestine abortions,” Castro explained. Today, she said, women around the world forced into backroom abortions often risk death or prison.

Among the immediate steps taken by the new revolutionary government that replaced the U.S.-backed military dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista was an end to the enforcement of laws banning abortion. In 1965 the procedure was legalized, making it the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to do so. Today it is among only four such nations, including Puerto Rico, Guyana and Uruguay. Along with all other medical services, abortion in Cuba is accessible for all and provided free of charge.

“One hundred twenty out of 100,000 women used to die of abortion-related causes in Cuba,” Castro said. “In Cuba, the problem has been solved, but we are in solidarity with others, and we want to help all women.”

Castro also spoke about a public discussion being organized by the Cuban government on a proposed law to recognize same-sex civil unions and an ongoing education campaign to promote broader acceptance of homosexuality.

The day before, Castro accepted an award at the 10th annual Rainbow Gala, organized by the Quebecois Council of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people, for her work in promoting the rights of homosexuals in Cuba.
 
 
Related articles:
UN condemns US embargo of Cuba for 22nd year in row
Free the Cuban Five!
Che: Enthusiasm for work is a foundation for building socialism
 
 
 
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