In recognition of International Women's Day, the Cuban regime paid tribute to Celia Sánchez Manduley, highlighting her "modesty," her role "behind the scenes," and her dedication to fulfilling Fidel Castro's aspirations. Gathered at the so-called Palace of the Revolution with women from across Cuba, appointed leader Miguel Díaz-Canel quoted Sánchez Manduley, emphasizing the importance of women's roles when they explicitly renounce prominence in history.
“Celia said: It’s not about being a hero. It’s about never stopping the fight. And I believe that conviction is something we can share and weave into our revolutionary sentiment today,” Díaz-Canel stated during his speech, as reported by the National Television News (NTV).
The event, attended by Teresa Amarelle Boué, the general secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women, and the ruler’s wife, Lis Cuesta Peraza, who was publicly denied the title of “First Lady,” exposed the entrenched narrative of absolute male leadership within the so-called “revolution.” This narrative is perpetuated without shame by high-ranking officials and regime leaders, like Dayli Sánchez Lemus, deputy director of the Office of Historical Affairs of the Council of State, who recalled Sánchez Manduley as a perpetually modest guerrilla who was always present without appearing, handling logistics and always moving forward to organize things, fulfilling Fidel’s dreams.
The regime's discourse on women's subordination, often adorned with patronizing compliments about their sweetness, love, and understanding, reinforces the idea that women’s historical role is one of support and accompaniment, not leadership or autonomy.
“They are heroic women, with strong spirits and incredible hearts… But I can simply and modestly say that you are wonderful women, that Cuban women are wonderful. Long live Cuban women!” concluded Díaz-Canel. Such rhetoric lays bare the machismo that continues to define the Cuban regime. While the world commemorates March 8th with calls for gender equality and female empowerment, Cuba’s official apparatus celebrates its historical women by highlighting their selflessness, "modesty," and ability to stay "in the background."
The Official Narrative and the Cult of Male Leadership
The so-called Cuban "revolution" has built its history around male figures like Castro, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, and Camilo Cienfuegos, portraying them as central heroes. Women, despite their active participation, have been relegated to secondary roles in the official narrative, perpetuating a patriarchal structure where leadership and prominence are primarily associated with men.
In her novel "I Was Never First Lady," writer Wendy Guerra explored how she grew up perceiving the revolution's heroes as omnipresent deities, while female figures like Sánchez Manduley, Fidel’s secretary and alleged lover, were crucial yet less visible. Guerra describes her work as a story of disillusionment and loss, highlighting women’s marginalization in the revolutionary narrative.
An example of the regime's structural machismo is the constant reference to women as "brave, admirable, fighters," yet without awarding them real decision-making power. Despite claims of gender equity, the reality is that most high political and military positions remain in male hands. An article by CiberCuba noted that in 2019, women held only 14% of leadership positions in the Cuban government, despite making up more than 50% of the population.
Feminicides, Repression, and Denial of Gender Violence
One of the most concerning aspects of institutionalized machismo in Cuba is the regime's refusal to acknowledge feminicides as a real issue. While feminist organizations and independent platforms have documented numerous murders of women by their partners in recent years, Díaz-Canel recently claimed that "there are no feminicides in Cuba, only isolated incidents." This denial underscores the lack of effective policies to protect women and the government’s disinterest in addressing the issue seriously.
The marginalization of women is not just historical; it persists in contemporary Cuba, where power outages, widespread shortages, low wages, migration exodus, and repression hit mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters hard. The situation of Cuban political prisoners is another example of the regime's contempt for women who choose to speak out. Testimonies detail how these women face inhumane conditions in prisons, with a lack of potable water, physical and psychological abuse, and prolonged isolation.
Organizations like Cubalex have reported that over 100 women remain imprisoned for political reasons, many for participating in the July 11, 2021 protests. These prisoners endure inhumane conditions, such as lack of water and poor nutrition. Some have even signed letters with their own blood demanding their freedom and that of other political prisoners.
In practice, Cuban women continue to suffer discrimination, gender violence, and even political persecution. Recent cases have shown how feminist activists have been repressed by the regime, being prevented from leaving the country or incarcerated for their critical positions.
The cult of personality surrounding Fidel Castro and other "heroes" of the Revolution has been instrumental in perpetuating this patriarchal model. In every official commemoration, speech, and tribute, the message remains the same: women can be recognized, but only in relation to their connection to male leaders. Thus, the tribute to Celia Sánchez on Women's Day not only exposes the machismo of the official discourse but also perpetuates the idea that in Cuba, the ideal woman is one who remains in the background, dedicating her life to fulfilling the dreams of the men in power.
Understanding Women's Role in Cuban Society
How does the Cuban regime portray women's roles in history?
The Cuban regime often portrays women's roles as supportive and secondary, emphasizing their modesty and dedication to male leaders rather than acknowledging them as leaders or primary figures in history.
What is the regime's stance on feminicides in Cuba?
The Cuban regime often denies the existence of feminicides, labeling them as isolated incidents, which underscores a lack of effective policies to protect women and a disinterest in addressing gender violence seriously.
What challenges do Cuban women face today?
Cuban women face challenges such as discrimination, gender violence, political persecution, low wages, and harsh living conditions exacerbated by shortages and power outages.