Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current
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Date of Graduation
5-9-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Department
Department of Political Science
Advisor(s)
Kristin Wylie
William Van Norman
Charles H. Blake
Abstract
Gender equality is recognized as a fundamental human right and goal by the United Nations. The 1959 Cuban Revolution advocated for widespread social changes including equality for women. Cuba is a critical case because it both confirms and refutes assumptions about gender equality. The central research question explored in this thesis is: How do domestic and global factors combine to affect the rhetoric and experiences of gendered and racial groups with respect to economic and political opportunities in socialist Cuba? I examine whether the divergences between expectations and experiences conform to the general literature. I find that women did achieve new economic and political positions in Cuba’s Revolutionary society, but the state feminist, top-down structure did not succeeded in guaranteeing equality. Overall, gender equality improved through the Revolution, but women, especially doubly burdened groups, continue to face difficulties. These findings can inform efforts by the domestic and international women’s movements to empower women across nations and cultures.
Recommended Citation
Rogers, Julia E., "Women in socialist Cuba: Political and economic equality" (2020). Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current. 62.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors202029/62
Included in
Caribbean Languages and Societies Commons, International Relations Commons, Women's Studies Commons
