On the calendar, March 8th marks International Women’s Day. A date of global struggle and empowerment. But on our island, this day takes on a deeper meaning. It is a tribute to the backbone of the nation. We are not just talking about a commemoration, but about recognizing the woman who, in the midst of the economic storm, has made resilience her greatest strength.
Being a woman in Cuba today is, above all, a daily exercise in silent heroism. It is no secret that the intensification of the economic blockade and material shortages have placed a disproportionate burden on her shoulders. It is she who, after a day’s work, arrives home to face the challenge of the family table.
She is the woman who defies scarcity by inventing recipes where others see emptiness. Multiplying the loaves and fishes with a creativity that only love allows.
Also she who overcomes adversity. She is the one who, faced with a lack of electricity or fuel, is capable of lighting a charcoal stove in the early hours of the morning. So that her children don’t go without breakfast. Without the smoke managing to diminish her resolve.
She is the one who cares for and protects. A safe haven for the elderly and the youngest. Managing not only resources but also the emotional balance of the home.
However, this same woman who sustains the household economy is the one who shines in the most complex spaces of our society. Cuban women have not remained in the private sphere. They have earned the right to be at the forefront of development.
We see her in biotechnology and science laboratories. Leading research that saves lives. We see her in the economy, undertaking and managing. In sports, raising our flag with the same tenacity with which she faces daily life. She is a transformative force who contributes, builds, and defends. Aware that her participation is vital for the survival of the social project she herself helps to build.
What is most admirable about our women is not only their capacity for sacrifice, but their refusal to let circumstances harden them. Despite the exhaustion and the hours spent standing in line or facing the heat of the kitchen, Cuban women do not lose their tenderness.
Their smile is, perhaps, the greatest act of rebellion against the suffocating economic blockade. It is proof that, even though the road is steep and resources are scarce. The humanist essence and the spirit of victory remain intact.
To the Cuban woman, who is always on the side of duty. Conquering rights and defending joy: thank you for being the heart that beats and endures. This March 8th, more than flowers, Cuba offers a commitment of respect and admiration. Because as long as there is a Cuban woman battling in her daily trench, there will be hope and there will be a country.
By: Daimy Peña Guillén
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