A recent chart published by the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) has once again highlighted a persistent reality in Cuba: the disproportionate burden that women carry in terms of unpaid domestic work.
According to the data shared on the social media platform X, by the end of 2023, 27.7% of Cuban women aged 15 and older were exclusively engaged in household chores, compared to only 0.8% of men.
Although domestic work is essential for the functioning of any family and, by extension, for society as a whole, in Cuba —as in many other parts of the world— it continues to be regarded as a "natural responsibility" of women, and it is rarely valued as work with economic or social importance.
These tasks include cooking, cleaning, caring for children and the elderly, organizing the home, and in many cases, also managing long lines, resolving food shortages, or "inventing" solutions in the face of daily precariousness. All of this is done without pay, without rest, and without guarantees of social protection.
Persistent gaps in gender equality
Although Cuba has made formal advances in terms of equality—such as the widespread access of women to education, employment, and political representation—traditional gender roles remain deeply ingrained in daily life. Statistics from ONEI reflect this contradiction: legal equity does not always translate into real equity within the home.
Various feminist organizations both on and off the island have denounced for years that the burden of household work falls almost exclusively on women, even when they also work outside the home. In many families, women face what is known as a "double shift," working in their formal jobs and then taking on all the responsibilities of home.
A change that has not yet arrived
The lack of shared domestic responsibilities between genders not only perpetuates inequality, but also limits women's opportunities for personal and professional development. If household tasks are not shared, it is unlikely that one can speak of true equality.
Activists and experts agree that a deep cultural transformation is necessary, accompanied by concrete public policies that recognize, value, and redistribute domestic work. Awareness campaigns, education from an early age, and support mechanisms for caregivers could be key steps in that journey.
Who takes care of those who care?
In the midst of the economic and social crisis that Cuba is experiencing, marked by shortages of basic goods, constant blackouts, and a general decline in services, domestic work has become more difficult, more exhausting, and yet, it remains invisible in economic statistics.
The information revealed by ONEI is just the tip of the iceberg of a silent but structural inequality that continues to affect the daily lives of millions of Cuban women.
Frequently asked questions about gender inequality and domestic work in Cuba
What percentage of Cuban women engage exclusively in domestic work?
27.7% of Cuban women aged 15 and older were engaged exclusively in household activities as of the end of 2023, compared to just 0.8% of men. This figure highlights the gender inequality present in the distribution of unpaid domestic work in Cuba.
Why is domestic work in Cuba considered a woman's responsibility?
In Cuba, as in many other parts of the world, domestic work is still regarded as a “natural responsibility” of women. This traditional role is deeply rooted in culture and is not valued as an economically or socially significant task, despite its importance for the functioning of the family and society.
How does gender inequality in domestic work affect the development of Cuban women?
The lack of domestic co-responsibility limits women's personal and professional development opportunities. Many women face a "double burden," working in their formal employment while taking on all household responsibilities, which perpetuates gender inequality and impacts their quality of life and professional development.
What measures are proposed to change the situation of domestic work in Cuba?
Activists and experts agree that there is a need for a deep cultural transformation and concrete public policies to acknowledge, value, and redistribute domestic work. Proposals include awareness campaigns, education from an early age, and support mechanisms for caregivers, which could be crucial for advancing towards gender equality.
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