The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently acknowledged the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) for its so-called efforts to advance gender equality and safeguard the rights of women and girls. This recognition, however, was broadcast by Canal Caribe, the Cuban regime's state-run media outlet, raising eyebrows.
The award ceremony coincided with the reopening of the FMC's National Counseling Center, which is touted as a resource aimed at enhancing comprehensive support for victims of gender-based violence in Cuba.
Notably present at the event was Teresa Amarelle Boué, a significant figure within Cuba's Communist Party and the general secretary of the FMC. Her involvement highlights the organization's true nature—not as an independent civil entity, but as an extension of the state's apparatus, established in 1960 and operating under government supervision.
The irony of this recognition cannot be overstated. In August 2024, the FMC itself reported that over 16,000 women and girls in Cuba suffer from gender violence, impacting nearly 10,000 families.
As the UNFPA applauds the FMC, independent feminist platforms Yo Sí Te Creo and Alas Tensas have documented 48 confirmed femicides in Cuba throughout 2025, alongside 37 reported disappearances of women. Alarmingly, 81% of these crimes were perpetrated by the victims' partners.
In early 2026, these same organizations had already recorded at least 21 femicides, with a cumulative total of 315 cases documented between 2019 and 2025 by OGAT and Yo Sí Te Creo.
Recognition Amidst a Grim Reality
Cuba's Penal Code does not specifically criminalize femicide, and there is no Comprehensive Law against Gender Violence on the island, a long-standing demand of the independent feminist movement that remains absent from the legislative agenda through 2028.
In March 2025, activist Carolina Barrero voiced the plight of Cuban women at the UN, criticizing the lack of acknowledgment of femicide and the government's crackdown on those striving to shed light on the issue.
This situation is not unique. In April 2026, despite the absence of any recognized independent non-governmental organizations on the island, Cuba was controversially appointed by acclamation to the ECOSOC NGO Committee—the UN body overseeing civil society—prompting formal protests from the United States and other nations.
Amarelle Boué, the same FMC leader now celebrated by the UN, declared in August 2022 that "the embargo is the greatest violence against Cuban women," encapsulating the organization's political stance and its disconnect from the reality faced by women enduring actual violence in their homes.
Understanding Cuba's Gender Violence Crisis
What is the role of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC)?
The FMC is presented as an organization promoting gender equality and protecting women's rights in Cuba. However, it functions under the supervision of the Cuban government and is not an independent civil entity.
Why is the UN's recognition of the FMC controversial?
The recognition is controversial due to the FMC's ties to the Cuban government and the ongoing issues of gender violence in Cuba. Independent organizations report significant rates of femicides and a lack of legal protection for women.
Are there any laws in Cuba addressing femicide?
Cuba's Penal Code does not explicitly define femicide as a crime, and there is no comprehensive legislation addressing gender violence, despite demands from the feminist movement.