This content was published on September 4th, 2022 – 5:10 pm September 4th, 2022 – 5:10 pm
Laura Becker
Havana, 4 September (EFE) .- The number of femicides in Cuba is increasing, which activists attribute to the “weak network of family and community support”, given that many cases of sexist violence go unreported.
In the first half of the year, 24 women died violently, there were four attempted attacks and one indirect murder was confirmed, according to the independent platform Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba, which together with other organizations collects this data in absentia Graf. officially.
In comparison, this group verified 36 femicides throughout the past year and 32 in 2020, including four indirect homicides.
With reports reaching four cases of sexist violence a week, this platform denounced to Efe that if a complaint was made, the authorities would not take action against the attacker.
Another pattern documented and shared with Efe by a spokeswoman, who asked for anonymity, is “naturalization that has pre-femicide violence, not only institutionally but also in the family and in the community.”
Many women manage to break out of this cycle of violence, but others “are killed because of the failure of some or all institutions, families and communities,” lamented sources within the group.
YOUNG PEOPLE FROM RURAL COMMUNITIES
Yo Sí Te Creo En Cuba sources told Efe that most of the victims are young people from rural communities and that the attackers are usually partners or ex-partners.
The last case registered by this group is a sexist attack on August 18 in Vertientes (East). In it, the Cuban Yodeisi Fabelo was injured, but her 7-year-old daughter died.
The average age of victims was 29.6 years, while it was 36.9 years in the first six months of 2021, according to feminist platforms data collected by Efe. At least 43.7% of women were killed by their current partner and 37.5% were left orphaned.
OFFICIAL NUMBERS
Cuba does not publish figures on sexist violence. The most recent data on this topic comes from a 2016 national gender equality survey, which surveyed 10,698 women.
The survey shows that 26.7% of Cuban women between the ages of 15 and 74 said they had suffered some type of intimate partner violence in the 12 months prior to the study, and that only 3.7% of those assaulted sought institutional help .
Efe requested an interview with the official Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) and has not received a response at the moment.
INCREASE IN THE FACING OF GREATER DISCOMFORT
“In the case of Cuba, public complaints and the visibility of the cases are increasing, especially on the internet and social media,” UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean Deputy Regional Director Cecilia told Efe Germany via email.
However, the head of UN Women stressed that “all femicides, regardless of the number”, are “alarming”.
She added that UN Women has been working with government institutions and Cuban organizations, including the FMC, for more than a decade, although they have no offices in the country.
Alemany pointed out that the increased visibility of the cases encourages “the raising of awareness in public opinion, the mobilization of civil society and the passage of specific laws to prevent and punish them.”
In his opinion, factors of sexist violence include “the prevalence of gender stereotypes” and “traditional social norms that form the basis of inequality, discrimination and violence”.
ANOTHER PHENOMENON: THE DISAPPEARANCE
Yo Sí Te Creo En Cuba identifies a new phenomenon in Cuba, directly related to the maximum expression of sexist violence: the disappearance of women and girls.
“Many lead to sexual and other femicides,” comment the activists, who also warn against the late reaction of relatives to ads.
The country does not have a missing child notification system, known worldwide as Amber Alert, a problem Yo Sí Te Creo in Cuba describes as a “lack” of his own work.
THE FAMILIES
“Victims’ families usually remain withdrawn and silent because of the heavy loss and the many problems to be solved, especially when the victim leaves behind minor children,” according to the group interviewed by Efe.
Many minors are left in the care of their grandparents, who sometimes “do not have the strength or resources to face up to the care”.
Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba denounces this “precarious situation” and stresses “the need for special support for families affected by femicide”.
Another common problem with Efe is the fact that the victims’ families “have not organized themselves to solve common problems or try to influence mechanisms for justice and reparation, not only for the victims but also for their children” .
A LAW
That’s why the independent platforms are calling for a law against gender-based violence and criticizing the government for not criminalizing femicide in the new penal code passed last May, even though it provides for gender-based violence.
However, the UN Women representative does not see this as crucial. “Its existence does not necessarily mean a decrease in gender-based violence, the causes of which are rooted in patriarchal culture,” he said.
In his opinion, “in addition to the laws, there should also be communication campaigns, education at all levels, and work in the communities.” EFE
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