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Social
Organizations
Committees for the Defense of the Revolution The Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) were founded on September 28, 1960, on the initiative of Fidel Castro, the leader of the Revolution. Taken together, they constitute the largest mass organization in Cuba and almost eight million Cubans, the vast majority of the population over 14 years of age, belong to them. Their origins are intimately linked to the U.S. government's aggressive policies ever since the revolutionary victory on January 1, 1959. They arose out of the need to unite the people in defense of the Revolution. Their primary organizational structure is in each neighborhood, where the neighbors get together and form their defense committee. Revolutionary vigilance was the main initial task, but other important ones were added gradually, like organizing blood donations, vaccination campaigns, neighborhood cleanup and beautification, collection of recyclable materials and environmental protection. All of this is done with the chief aim of safeguarding the citizenry and protecting community property. More recently, the difficult economic situation brought about the need for the creation of collective gardens for the cultivation of produce and medicinal plants, as well as aquiculture. This mass organization prioritizes the ideological orientation of its members through the study and debate of documents dealing with the most important national and international topics, as well as those related to sex education, social matters and children's education. It also organizes neighborhood debates so that people can learn more about new laws or any important national event. It also carries out cultural, sports and recreational activities for children and reinforces the relationship between the schools and the community. There are nearly 122,000 defense committees in the country and each of them is directed by a group of neighbors nominated and elected in democratic community meetings. The Committees for the Defense of the Revolution are non-governmental organizations that finance their own activities through annual dues paid by their members. Federation
of the Cuban Women Since the triumph of the Revolution, the government has maintained general and specific policies linked to Cuba's strategy of economic and social development, recognizing women's inalienable right to participate as equals in the country's economic, political, cultural and social life. The FMC sees to it that those rights are respected and promotes the advancement of women within Cuban society. Today Cuban women are involved in all the aspects of national life, and their presence in activities linked to education and health care has been decisive. Furthermore, one cannot speak, for instance, of the island's scientific and technical development without mentioning the significant role that women have played. It is also important to highlight the state policy of promoting women to leadership positions. The FMC's structure is based on grass-roots organizations, to which 3,729,186 women throughout the country, ages 14 and older, now belong. On the higher levels, the Federation has blocs; municipal and provincial offices; its National Committee and its Secretariat. Since its foundation until the present time, Vilma Espín has been FMC president. The FMC is very active internationally and maintains work relations and cooperation with numerous women's organizations all over the planet. It is a member of the International Democratic Federation of Women. Central Organization of Cuba Trade Unions The Central Organization of Cuban Trade Unions (CTC) was founded on January 28, 1939, as a result of the Constituent Congress held on the 23rd to 28th of that month in the former National Theater, now the Grand Theater of Havana. Some 1,500 delegates attended that conference, representing 789 organizations. Trade union leader Lázaro Peña, a symbol of the Cuban labor movement, was elected general secretary. The Constituent Congress was held in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and discipline, a spirit of internationalism, and rejection of fascism. The CTC's founding took place in a period when the labor movement was growing and when there were major successes in the workers' struggle for economic, social and political demands, and the people's democratic rights. Among the most militant trade unions in the fight against the established order during the period of the pseudo-republic were those of the sugar workers, tobacco workers, and port workers, led by outstanding leaders such as Aracelio Iglesias. Today the CTC maintains the trade union unity desired by its founders in 1939. It is the only workers' organization in the country that has more than three million members, or 98.6 % of the total number of workers in the country. It consists of 19 national unions, which in turn are represented in each province and municipality. In every Cuban workplace, the workers organize themselves into trade union sections that promote their members' fulfillment of rights and duties. The present-day Cuban workers' movement defends the Revolution's ideas and values, the battle for economic efficiency and the business improvement program. Among its other concerns are increased production, the search for new employment and wage options for the workers, and defense of their most legitimate rights, and those of women, retired people and pensioners. It also strives to promote a culture of development and national defense. The CTC maintains collegial relations with numerous organizations around the world. On April 28-30, 2001, the CTC held its 18th Congress, during which 22 resolutions were approved, contributing to the improvement of the Cuban trade union and labor movement. (Taken
from: Cubasí)
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