The proliferation of debates on sexual diversity in Cuba is a reality, Mariela Castro, director of the National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) said at a press conference on Monday. The institution, which currently leads the actions for the recognition of the rights of the LGBT community in the country, aspires that adolescents and youth are also on the climate of discussion and they have announced some concrete actions.
Among the most immediate is holding between September 20 and 21 of the World Sexual Health Day, with community activities throughout the country and conducting a scientific event, a popular fair, the screening and discussion of an audiovisual material and a mega concert in Havana.
With this the Center that the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro directs, seeks to generate more opportunities for exchange with adolescents and young people, which so far had not been the aim of such an encompassing action especially from the perspective of sexuality.
Probably the youth situation is also the subject analysis of an international symposium which will be held in November at the CENESEX focused on prostitution, sex tourism and trafficking, to which have confirmed their involvement researchers from Argentina, Sweden and Belgium.
Mariela Castro usually insists on the necessary dialogue between generations to progress in the development of Cuban society. On the occasion of the working days that are advertised, the sexologist stressed that adults should be interested in knowing what teens and youth are thinking in Cuba today and what their needs are.
“We must sharpen the ability to listen to young people and respect them,” the specialist said.
This is, she said, one of the critical pillars to advance in the establishment of public policies that promote social inclusion and avoid discriminatory situations.
The active participation of civil society in initiatives promoted by the CENESEX, as the Days Against Homophobia taking place every year in the month of May, have contributed to State institutions and other highly political as the Communist Party, to take action in this matter.
That is why you can now speak in Cuba of the changes to the Family Code that will soon be madeavailable to the National Assembly of People’s Power (Parliament) for further analysis.
The institution headed by Mariela Castro has actively participated in the review of this document, which should approve by consensus unions between homosexual couples.
“To defend rights is not essential to hold on to the category` marriage, ‘”said the also President of the National Commission for Comprehensive Care of Transsexual People, to clarify that by the time this issue will not be subject to discussion among lawmakers.
Mariela Castro claimed to have “great hope” in the results that come out from the draft amendment to the Code, by the way they are addressing different topics and the number of LGBT people that have been gradually empowered, that will have opportunity to decide on the matter.
Also, the director of CENESEX said other institutions such as the Ministries of Education, Culture, Higher Education and Public Health, have revised or created work programs on health and sexual diversity.
This, however, will not be a short process. In the Cuban education system, for example, Mariela Castro recognizes great weaknesses regarding the training of teachers to guide without prejudice.
“We need, she noted, learning to educate adducing freedom and responsibility to the people, and not do so in a moralistic way”.
For: Daniel Grass
