The country has an impressive record in women’s rights. A United Nations survey ranks Cuba among the top 20 nations in which women have the highest participation in politics and business. Women make up 50 percent of university students and 60 percent of doctors, although they are still poorly represented in the highest echelons of government. A review of the University of Havana yearbooks shows that women were well represented before the Revolution also.

Women are guaranteed the same salaries as men and receive 18 weeks of paid maternity leave—six before the birth and the remainder after. Working mothers have the right to one day off with pay each month, or the option of staying home and receiving 60 percent of their full salary until the child reaches the age of six months. And every woman and girl can get free birth control assistance, regardless of marital status. The Cuban Family Code codifies that the male must share household duties.

Despite this, prejudices born of the patriarchal Spanish heritage still exist. Male machismo continues, while the Revolution has not been able to get the Cubanness out of Cuban women who, regardless of age, still adore coquetry.