The Guyana-Cuba Friendship Association, saluting women on International Women’s Day yesterday, said it acknowledged the role women play.

It said in a press release that it was indeed fortunate that both Cuba and Guyana have “a long and proud history of acknowledging the value of women.”

Both countries have recognised the significant roles women play in family life, politics, profession, and in the business world, the associations said. It noted that over the past few decades the percentage of women was steadily increasing in sectors that were previously exclusively male dominated such as medicine and law. In fact, of the students currently studying in Cuba 45% are females and are participating in all the disciplines offered, including all forms of engineering.

The association said it was an immeasurable benefit to society in general when these women come back to take up leadership positions. It has been found that educated women have fewer and healthier children and by large their children would be educated themselves.