Cuban Women Pay Homage to Raul and Fidel Castro

HAVANA, Cuba, March 9 (acn) The more than 900 delegates at the 8th Congress of the Cuban Women's Federation (FMC) that concluded Sunday highlighted the important role that the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, and the leadership of the country have played in women's
realization.

During the final session of the event, diplomas were given to Fidel, Raul Castro and First VP Jose Ramon Machado Ventura.

During the closing remarks of the meeting, Machado Ventura said that Cuban women have played a decisive role in the social, political and economic development of the nation.

"They have become an example and a source of inspiration through these difficult years. Their achievements are also a result of the Revolution's work in support of women's development in all fields," he added.

He also praised the work of Fidel Castro and the late FMC President Vilma Espin in favor of women.

The FMC's work in the provinces of La Habana, Granma, Matanzas and Sancti Spiritus was also praised.

The new 101 members of the FMC's National Committee and the 13 members of its Executive Board were chosen on Sunday evening. Yolanda Ferrer was re-elected as the FMC's General Secretary.

The willingness of the more than four million members of the FMC to defend the Cuban Socialist Revolution was included in the final declaration of the event.

The 8th Congress of the FMC took place over the weekend at Havana's Convention Center. Delegates discussed topics such as the contribution of women to the national economy, gender equality, the creation of values and the international work of the organization.

(Fidel y Raúl reciben homenaje en clausura de Congreso FMC)

Raul Castro Congratulates Cuban Women at their Congress

HAVANA, Cuba, March 8 (acn) Cuban President Raul Castro congratulated all Cuban women on behalf of Revolution leader Fidel Castro and the Communist Party. The Cuban head of state presided over the closing session of the 8^th Congress of the Cuban Women Federation at Havana´s Conventions Center.

In a brief statement at the session, Raul Castro stressed the need that women should increasingly occupy leading positions in the country´s economic, political and social life. He said women are always more mature than men since very early age; they understand the management activity better than men do and they are quite firm.

That story which tells that men do not obey women is not true, said Raul as he smiled amidst the applause of the over 900 women who attended the session. Raul Castro reiterated his congratulations on International Women Day on behalf of Fidel Castro and the Cuban Communist Party.

During the closing ceremony, Yolanda Ferrer was ratified as General Secretary of the Cuba Women´s Federation (FMC). Ferrer read the Congress´ Final Declaration.

The closing speech of the Congress was given by Cuba´s First Vice President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura.

(En nombre de Fidel y el Partido, Raúl felicitó a las mujeres)