Throughout the history of Cuba, its women have played a vital and important role as vehicles for change.  Their struggle against colonization and role in the indigenous resistance, their participation and support during the wars of independence, and their very visible and active participation in building independent civil society in today’s Cuba, make them essential actors in the struggle for democracy on the island.  Despite the tremendous resources the Cuban regime employs in attempting to silence dissent, every day more and more Cubans are taking charge of their destinies, organizing, and vocalizing their discontent with the system and their desire for democratic change.  Increasingly, women have become powerful leaders of this movement.    FLAMUR has continued that strong tradition and today is leading one of the most innovative, brave, and effective campaigns in Cuba: “Con la Misma Moneda”.  (explained in detail below.)

 

The Federation of Latin American Rural Women (FLAMUR) has been working towards organizing and empowering women to be actors of change.  Today, the group boasts over 800 members throughout Cuba’s 14 provinces.  FLAMUR is a network of women living in Cuba’s rural areas who desire to become self-sufficient, to assist the growth of independent civil society, and to promote a transition to democracy in their homeland.  These objectives are reached through a combination of trainings and workshops.    FLAMUR helps to train women in practical skills such as: creating independent cooperatives, outreach and networking to international organizations, sewing, farming, as well as informational workshops on self-esteem, domestic violence, etc. 

 

These trainings serve several purposes.  1.) To improve the lives of women living in these areas through independent economic activity, 2.) To raise the consciousness of these women and subsequently their family members and community about independent sector activity, civic responsibility, human rights, the process of democratic transition and the important role of civil society, 3.) To create a network of dissent in order that they are no longer simply pockets of resistance, but unified and organized voices.  Today, FLAMUR has expanded its role in taking on a national campaign like “Con la Misma Moneda” and in promoting active civic challenging of the current regime.