Women in the Cuban Revolution Essay Example

Women in the Cuban Revolution Essay Throughout the course of history, many revolutions have brought forth the greatest outcomes of a country. The Revolutionary movement of Cuba during 1959 was a pathway to independence and also a separation of gender roles fought by women. This Revolution for Independence is also a revolution in the changes of women roles. Women had legal rights that were protected by law due to the participation in the Revolution of Cuba equal codes gender, legal entitlements, and many other rights were created. The Cuban Revolution started in 1959 when a small group of guerrillas and urban insurrectionists overthrew the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. A transformation of government modernized Cuba, the redistribution of wealth, separation of church and state, and the economic and political power of selected Cuban families were changed by the socialistic Revolution fought by Fidel Castrov. Castrov’s new change in Cuba also affected women’s lives. Castrov said that, â€Å"A people whose women fight alongside men – that people is (sic) invincible. the traditional behaviors of women were challenged. Pre-Revolutionary women had minimal rights; they were bared by gender roles in the Latin American community. The Revolution affected all life-aspects of the Latin American continent; however, women were highly affected by the Revolution. President Batista created the Cuban Constitution of 1940 which prohibited the discrimination of sex. When Fidel Castrov began to challenge Batista’s administration, women from the middle and upper classes began to utilize their skills and supported Fiedel Castrov’s movements. We will write a custom essay sample on Women in the Cuban Revolution specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Women in the Cuban Revolution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Women in the Cuban Revolution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The women used their skills in writing, networking, and they were â€Å"selling war bonds and producing rebel uniforms, taking part in propaganda work, participating in action and sabotaged units in the cities, transporting arms, and fighting in the mountains. † (Randall 1981, 22). The women support for Castrov’s movements has incredibly increased nationalism for the people of Cuba. â€Å"Cuba ought to be free and independent, and the government should be turned over to the Cuban people. † (McKinley), he support of women in Fidel Castrov’s Revolutionary movement in July 26 by the Women’s Marti Civic Front and the endless support of The Revolutionary Women’s Union (UFR) constituted the victory and pathway of equality for Cuban women. Feminists organized groups such as the UFR in which they began an extensive door-to-door campaign to fundraise and recruit. Women were arguably capable of doing any task a male can do at this time. Some Women were on the war-fronts fighting; they wielded weapons and shot enemies. Women also served as nurses and suppliers to the army, the contribution of women skillset also represented the importance and expectations of women during this time. These women changed traditional gender roles; they participated in the Revolution politically and militarily. In Havana, Cuba 1959 the first-women platoon, Mariana Grajales Brigade, found themselves a victory in the revolution. The women fought alongside the men and this – provided the necessary facts that women were important, the victory of these women guaranteed a positive change in the hierarchical status of gender. Melba Hernandez, the general of the first-women platoon states, â€Å"We [the women] of Cuba are revolutionists, we will fight for the equality of women for our future generations to come. † In the year 1960, the Federation of Cuban Women was recognized by the Cuban Government, they work to ensure the protection of Women’s Rights, and they are activists and politicians that still fight for gender equality. Women and men now share the same legal entitlements, job opportunities, sickness and maternal benefits, social security benefits, etc.