By: María Inés Álvarez Garay
March 8th was formalized by the United Nations in 1975 as International Women’s Day, in recognition of thousands of textile workers who, in the mid-nineteenth century, a day like this but in 1857, decided to take to the streets of New York, In the middle of the industrial revolution, with the slogan ‘Bread and roses’ to protest the miserable working conditions and demand a cut in hours and the end of child labor.
This was one of the first demonstrations in the fight of the women for their rights, as was the strike of the shirts in 1909, followed thereafter by numerous protests and movements.
This special day, in the words of the UN, «refers to ordinary women as the architect of history and has its roots in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men.»
International Women’s Day is a good time to reflect on the progress made, and celebrate the courage and determination of ordinary women who have played a key role in the history of their countries and the world.
Cuban women have a great participation in the development of today’s society. Her role in the medical field has been progressive over time. With perseverance, tenacity and courage, she managed to achieve the prestigious position that she has today in the world.
The greatest of the Antilles has thousands of health professionals who go to the most distant nations and the most difficult conditions voluntarily, without any pressure; as it is a spontaneous decision of each health professional.
Currently, more than 30,407 Cuban Health professionals are in 66 nations, distributed in permanent medical brigades and others of the “Henry Reeve” Contingent, just when COVID-19 causes the death of thousands of people every day.
Among this humanitarian army in white coats and a caring heart are our women, heroines who today make up more than 71% of Cuban health workers.
Our women have left an indelible mark on the history of collaboration in more than 150 countries with more than 420 thousand Health professionals since the collaboration began in 1960.
The Gambia is a small country in West Africa, which has a Cuban medical brigade of more than 150 professionals,51% of which are women who extend a helping hand to those who suffer from painful diseases or require care and encouragement to continue living.
They use their creative ingenuity, their fertile intellect, to help these Gambian brothers and sisters and also put their soft hands to those little infants or those who already comb gray hair, with all the affection and professionalism that characterizes them, sowing this African land with seeds of health and solidarity.
So far this year, this brigade has assisted more than 136,836 patients, 5,924 in Dentistry, 3,622 in hemodialysis, 3,167 in the Rehabilitation service, more than 3,670 deliveries, 2,921 surgical operations, 7,804, ultrasounds and 91 endoscopic studies have been performed , which has contributed to raising the health indices, and the gratitude and satisfaction of the Gambian people and authorities.
Here are the angels hands of our Marianas who have also stood out in assisting patients suffering from covid-19 on the red line, showing their skill, knowledge, scientific preparation, affection, tenderness and professionalism, based on their feelings of love, voluntariness, solidarity, internationalism and brotherhood, of which worthy Cubans live proudly.
In 1999 our eternal Commander Fidel Castro Ruz affirmed: «today it is a reality, women constitute the majority of the technical force, and a majority that grows and whose talent is becoming more and more evident, whose qualities are more and more unquestionable.»
Congratulations dear women, standard bearers of the honor of the country, heroic guerrillas of health and life, diamonds of true humanism, tireless victors of death, who fight for a better and fairer future for all!
Long live international women’s day!
*Professor and collaborator of the Cuban Medical Brigade
"An Island on a Continent" 