The delegation had a meeting with the National Secretariat of FMC, and visited FMC’s Women’s Publishing House, Craft Development Center, Matanzas provincial Women’s Union, and the Women's Chapter of the Revolution Square - Havana. At these meetings, VWU President Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa spoke highly of the remarkable achievements in gender equality of the Cuban women and the FMC’s great role.
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| The delegation visits and presents gifts to Matanzas provincial Women’s Union |
With three main tasks including protecting the achievements of the Cuban Revolution, promoting gender equality, and supporting the family and prevention of domestic violence, FMC has attracted 4 million members (90% of the women aged 14 yrs. and above). Despite many difficulties, FMC has created efficient models for supporting women, such as vocational training and counseling in "The Relaxation Houses" - the initiative of the late President Vilma Espin, vocational training and garment shop for tourists in La Havana, etc. FMC has attracted the voluntary participation of female psychologists, educators, lawyers, politicians ... to support women and develop the FMC’s organization.
Thanks to the encouragement by the Party and State and the tireless efforts by the women themselves, the Cuban women currently have an impressive presence in all walks of life, i.e. 42% of the Party Central Committee; 48.8% of the National Assembly, 9 ministers, 10/15 provincial chairpersons, 117/168 Directors of Procuracy and 79% of chief judges at the district level, 53% of researchers, 60% of doctors, etc. At the Center of Genes and Biological Research - one of the leading Cuban research and pharmaceutical manufacturers that the delegation visited, women accounts for 49% of the staff, 44/92 Ph.D., and 147/247 professors. This is vivid demonstration of what the revolution brought to the Cuban women.
At the meetings, VWU President Thanh Hoa updated FMC on the situation of Vietnamese women and the VWU’S key activities, and shared VWU’s experience regarding fund-raising, supporting women in economic development, and international cooperation, etc.. The President expressed her sincere thanks to Cuba’s wholehearted support to Vietnam during the war as well as the post-war development. She emphasized the need to strengthen experience sharing and cooperation to promote the strength of each side. VWU President Thanh Hoa invited FMC representative to attend the Forum "Women, Peace and Development" to be organized by VWU in October at the 85th anniversary of the VWU. on this occasion, the VWU presented FMC a gift of USD 15,000.
During their time in Cuba, the VWU delegation offered flowers at Ho Chi Minh monument in Peace Park – Havana, met with the Vice-President of the Cuba’s National Assembly Ana Machado and several female members of the Cuba’s National Assembly, visited the Vo Thi Thang Primary School and MEDIATEX textile factory, etc.. Especially, the delegation was received by comrade José Ramón Balaguer Cabrera, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations.
Everywhere the delegation was received in an atmosphere of friendship, solidarity and sisterhood.The spirit "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to devote its blood" has become once again very lively. The visit was highly successful, contributing to strengthening the traditional relationship between the women and the people of the two countries, opening up opportunities for collaboration and sharing experiences to promote the advancement of women of the two organizations.
