October 2019
Workshop: October Sessions in the Fight Against Breast Cancer.

DATA OF INETEREST

GUEST:

Workshop coordinated by the educator and activist Omara Ruíz Urquiola

Synopsis:
Since 1992, the pink ribbon has become the visual identifier for campaigns on behalf of women affected by breast cancer. This came out of the work of a social activist to raise awareness, and it caught the eye of an editor working in the advertising industry. In Cuba, the symbolism of the ribbon and its social projection tend to go unnoticed. Official breast cancer awareness events aren't widely promoted among the patient community or professionals directly involved with research and treatment of the disease. Every year, the audiovisual magazine ADN Cuba sponsors a series of activities to help bring together and inform stakeholders from across civil society. The platform, while specific to one issue, has led to the inclusion of women's issues in different social agendas in Cuba. Issues that have been discussed as long as women have been around gained visibility; this is how we connected the stories of women street vendors with activists for a variety of causes, each one exercising full control of her participatory and transformative roles in raising public awareness. We witnessed the fight for the recognition of female artists in genres traditionally dominated by men, or female athletes practicing sports without official recognition by authorities entrenched in their misogynist heritage, as well as the struggles of female political and religious leaders. The men also told stories and contributed to the discussion. It took three sessions to figure out how we women creators are seen in Cuba, both among other women and from the male perspective. The problems, the conceptual framework, and the physical space, all operating under the alternative/independent banner, attracted participation by an array of social organizations and inspired revealing discussions, reconciliation, and conflict. It was thrown off by the government's intolerance, which repressed the gathering and the closing celebration. Both the attendees and organizers affirm the value of the first-ever October Sessions in the Fight Against Breast Cancer, for its inclusive nature.