Havana and Quebec will meet on July 8 and 9 to jointly analyze the contributions of women in the economic development of both provinces, an initiative that gives continuity to the numerous actions that have been developed over the years between La Francophonie. and Cuba.
This was stated by Isabel Hamze, president of the Organizing Committee, for whom holding this event at the present time is highly relevant and “ratifies the position of the Government of Quebec to strengthen those ties of friendship and show solidarity with the Cuban people who suffer more than ever. of the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States ”.
As can be seen, neither has the pandemic been able to weaken our ties and we have found ways to share useful experiences for economic growth and the empowerment of women on both sides even in the distance, she said.
Are women sufficiently represented in economic activities in the world? What is the situation in Cuba and in Quebec?
Women from Havana and Québec make important contributions to the economy of both regions.
In all sectors they stand out; in agricultural production with interesting projects, in the management of public and private companies and in the ventures that are emerging in the different branches. It goes without saying about the social sectors of education, health, and sports in which women find important support for their professional progress, she said.
In which sectors is there a greater presence of women and in which are they less represented? How much progress has been made in this regard and how much more could be achieved?
Although there are advances in the contribution of women to the economy of Quebec and Havana, there are still infinite potentialities that need the support of the Government and organizations in order to undertake projects in local development, so that they can materialize their dreams and contribute to the development of their communities.
The experiences that will be exhibited at the Forum, said Hamze, will be like little lights to continue to illuminate this path of great possibilities.

What else could be done to encourage or support women workers?
In the socioeconomic transformations taking place in our country, women play an essential role. They must be persistent, fighters, break the obstacles that sometimes an excessive technocracy presents them and that hinders the development of the productive forces with dogmas and old recipes.
The Cuban State is betting on development, growth, that all contributions are important and in this endeavor women are excellent allies, he concluded.
Cuba, since its Constitution, ratifies the State's commitment to gender equality in all areas of life and non-discrimination.
According to the National Survey of Gender Equality (ENIG-2016), carried out by the Center for Population and Development Studies of the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) and the Center for Women's Studies of the Federation of Women Cuban women (FMC), more than 80% of the people interviewed estimate that laws that protect women are applied in the country, there are places or services that provide care for victims of violence and that there are organizations where they can raise their needs and worries.
The ENIG-2016 also demonstrated that there is a domestic responsibility assumed mainly by women, who continue to be the main responsible for the care, accompaniment and temporary and permanent attention of dependent people inside and outside the homes.
Despite this, Cuban women play an important role in the various decision-making levels of the country's political, economic and public life: they represent 50.7% of the leaders in the State and Government; 53.2% of parliamentarians and 53.3% of Governors and Vice Governors, says an article by the ONEI.
Cuba also has a National Program for the Advancement of Women (PAM) that includes 44 measures in 7 areas of special attention, including the economic empowerment of women; work with public communication; education, prevention and social work; access to key spaces for decision-making; the legislative scenario that includes the analysis of the regulatory framework and protection systems against all forms of discrimination and violence; sexual and reproductive health and the necessary production of statistics and research.

Zehimy Hartman Mulén