Photo Via Victoria Ormiston

Victoria Ormiston

Contributor

In the 21st century, significant structural advancements worldwide have improved the lives of many racial-, sexual-, and gender-diverse communities. These improvements have been reflected through inclusive laws, policies, and practices aimed at promoting equality and social justice. While these changes have certainly shifted the structural balance, the social scale still remains tipped in favour of dominant social groups and conservative values. Consider Canada’s effervescent Employment Equity Act (S.C. 1995, c. 44), in contrast to the stark realities of femicide or Cuba’s revolutionary strides in eradicating gender-based violence while many remain victims of patriarchal values. Both cases highlight how, despite structural change, the struggle to eliminate deep-rooted cultural norms persists. They exemplify the importance of dismantling oppressive systems like patriarchy and male supremacy through an interdisciplinary approach that combines community-organizing, education, and political advocacy in order to challenge both hearts and minds.

So, does gender inequality still exist? The very short answer is yes. Although, many of our parents, friends, and acquaintances may believe the opposite. Their vague and inconclusive commentary about how Canada is a just country in comparison to the U.S. and other Western nations is a distorted view of reality. We may not be descending into fascism with the help of an orange menace or overturning laws that protect a woman’s right to choose, however we are definitely not a country worth bragging about. We have very different social justice issues that need more than just political techniques to sway the population’s mentality. For instance, in 2017, Canada launched a national 10-year plan and prevention strategy for gender-based and intimate partner violence, which included measures to combat firearm-related violence like reintroducing red and yellow flag laws. Therefore, Canada’s initiatives might seem like concrete steps toward bettering the lives of women all over the country. But, in reality, they are not enough not enough to save the missing and murdered Indigenous women, or the victims of domestic violence.

Across the ocean, a similar reality exists in the lives of many Cuban girls and women. Since the Cuban Revolution, many women’s organizations and government actions have brought about structural change. Before my trip to Cuba, I had the opportunity to learn about the changes Fidel Castro’s government undertook to better the lives of women across the nation. For example, Aviva Chomsky’s book A History of the Cuban Revolution mentions that the government expanded the daycare system and offered lunch at workplaces and schools to socialize traditional roles assigned to women. I also learned during my trip that women’s organizations’ strong connections to the government led to femicide being made a punishable crime and granted women stronger access to social programs like healthcare, as mentioned by my host mother and an ex-FMC organizer.

Therefore, governments have taken much-needed steps toward eliminating gender-based discrimination. However, neither Southern nor Western governments have fully solved gender-based discrimination or eliminated all forms of patriarchal oppression. While Canada has implemented funding and policy-driven campaigns, Cuba has taken broader population-driven measures. These differences stem from their distinct feminist movements shaped by historical contexts. Northern feminism prioritizes pay equity and public infrastructure, while Southern feminism focuses on basic rights like healthcare, education, and domestic safety. Though, despite structural efforts and feminist influence, issues persist: Translating Cuba reports that 89 femicides occurred in Cuba in 2023, doubling the number recorded in 2022. Meanwhile, in 2019, the Government of Canada calculated that 4.7 million women in Canada have been sexually assaulted past the age of 15, making it the only violent crime not on the decline. These statistics highlight ongoing gaps in both nations’ approaches to ending gender-based discrimination and violence.

The objectification and sexual harassment of women is not an issue that legislation alone can end. A national action plan and better access to healthcare won’t stop 14-year-old boys from pressuring their partners to send nude photographs through Snapchat. What will truly make a difference is a tailored approach to educating our respective populations and questioning the long-term success of current structural projects. In Cuba’s case, they are specifically in need of a revolution that is not colorblind and recognizes that patriarchy is alive and is more than a set of legislations; it is the values we hold and reproduce. In Canada, we need more collaboration between professionals, government officials, educators, and citizens. By collaborating, broadening the scope of our campaigns, and minimizing the taboo around intimacy, we can educate everyone from an early age about consent and sexual harassment. We need citizens of all backgrounds to question their actions, fostering a culture of respect and accountability. Ultimately, while policy changes and reforms are crucial, true progress lies in shifting cultural attitudes. By prioritizing grassroots level organizing, we can cultivate a society where respect, consent, and equality are the norm and not the exception.