Cuba Takes On Domestic Violence
By Circles Robinson
This year the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women falls on a Sunday, but it’s not a day off for the victims or those people who fight against an evil that crosses all borders and ignores social class, race, creed or age.
In Cuba, the day is being observed by many organizations and a recently released documentary titled La Deseada Justicia (The Desired Justice) brings the issue home. Several Cuban civic groups and public institutions are stepping up their efforts to address the problem.
The film, by Cuban director Lizette Vila, artfully intertwines the testimonies of seven Cuban survivors of domestic violence and is being shown at special functions prior to its screening at the Havana New Latin American Cinema Festival set for December 4-14.
Many of those who have seen the 35-minute documentary have said they hope to see it shown on Cuban TV where it would reach an even wider public. Moving, powerful, sensitive and heart rendering are some of the adjectives used to describe it. The film is also seen as encouragement for more women to emerge from their cycle of violence.
Coordinated by the Oscar Arnulfo Romero Group for Reflection and Solidarity of Havana, the documentary was made to help break the silence and stimulate discussion on a thorny issue that in many countries still gets confused as being a private matter rather than a societal or public health concern.
“We know that in our society the violence indicators are not as dramatic as in many others, but it is present and if we can’t totally eradicate it we need to at least diminish it as much as possible,” states a publication of the Cuban organization.
A week long campaign “for a culture of peace to prevent gender violence” concludes tomorrow, but the effort to visualize the problem of domestic violence in Cuba and address it more effectively is only beginning to pick up steam and will continue year round.
“To deny that there is violence in our society means ignoring the issue instead of confronting it in its entire destructive dimension,” notes the Oscar Romero Group. “The Cuban revolution, based on deeply humanistic values, can only improve by the active and aware participation of society. Learning to live without violence is a challenge of any civilized society.”
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was first marked on November 25, 1981. The date recalls the brutal assassination in 1960, of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dictator Rafael Trujillo.
On December 17, 1999 the UN General Assembly, officially recognized the date by adopting Resolution 54/134 and invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the problem.
This year the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women falls on a Sunday, but it’s not a day off for the victims or those people who fight against an evil that crosses all borders and ignores social class, race, creed or age.
In Cuba, the day is being observed by many organizations and a recently released documentary titled La Deseada Justicia (The Desired Justice) brings the issue home. Several Cuban civic groups and public institutions are stepping up their efforts to address the problem.
The film, by Cuban director Lizette Vila, artfully intertwines the testimonies of seven Cuban survivors of domestic violence and is being shown at special functions prior to its screening at the Havana New Latin American Cinema Festival set for December 4-14.
Many of those who have seen the 35-minute documentary have said they hope to see it shown on Cuban TV where it would reach an even wider public. Moving, powerful, sensitive and heart rendering are some of the adjectives used to describe it. The film is also seen as encouragement for more women to emerge from their cycle of violence.
Coordinated by the Oscar Arnulfo Romero Group for Reflection and Solidarity of Havana, the documentary was made to help break the silence and stimulate discussion on a thorny issue that in many countries still gets confused as being a private matter rather than a societal or public health concern.
“We know that in our society the violence indicators are not as dramatic as in many others, but it is present and if we can’t totally eradicate it we need to at least diminish it as much as possible,” states a publication of the Cuban organization.
A week long campaign “for a culture of peace to prevent gender violence” concludes tomorrow, but the effort to visualize the problem of domestic violence in Cuba and address it more effectively is only beginning to pick up steam and will continue year round.
“To deny that there is violence in our society means ignoring the issue instead of confronting it in its entire destructive dimension,” notes the Oscar Romero Group. “The Cuban revolution, based on deeply humanistic values, can only improve by the active and aware participation of society. Learning to live without violence is a challenge of any civilized society.”
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was first marked on November 25, 1981. The date recalls the brutal assassination in 1960, of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dictator Rafael Trujillo.
On December 17, 1999 the UN General Assembly, officially recognized the date by adopting Resolution 54/134 and invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the problem.
posted by Circlesonline | 7:50 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home