Women's Work in Special Period Cuba: Making Ends Meet

The loss of Soviet financial support in 1989 caused the Cuban economy to collapse, leading to the Special Period. Daliany Jerónimo Kersh's book explores how Cuban women combined paid work to make ends meet, often employing informal and illegal strategies due to the economic crisis. This regression into gendered work marked a return to pre-revolutionary gendered divisions of labor.

Format: Hardback
Length: 255 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2019
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The abrupt cessation of Soviet financial support in 1989 caused the near collapse of the Cuban economy, leading to nearly two decades of stringent austerity measures and severe shortages of food and essential consumer goods. Daliany Jerónimo Kersh, through the innovative framework of individual and collective memory, presents a captivating portrayal of how Cuban women ingeniously combined various forms of paid work to sustain themselves. Disproportionately affected by the economic crisis due to their primary roles as caregivers and household managers and unable to survive on devalued state salaries alone, women often resorted to informal and illegal earning strategies. As Kersh argues, this regression into gendered work, such as cooking, sewing, cleaning, reselling, and providing sexual services, was largely driven by the post-Soviet crisis and marked a significant return to pre-revolutionary gendered divisions of labor.

The loss of Soviet financial support in 1989 had a profound impact on the Cuban economy, leading to a severe crisis and a period of austerity measures known as the Special Period. This period was characterized by widespread food and consumer goods shortages, making it difficult for many Cubans to meet their basic needs. Women, who were often the primary caregivers and household managers, were disproportionately affected by the economic crisis and faced significant challenges in sustaining themselves and their families.

As the state salaries became increasingly devalued, women were forced to seek alternative sources of income. Many turned to informal and illegal earning strategies, such as selling goods on the black market, providing services such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare, and engaging in prostitution. These strategies were necessary to survive in a society where the official economy was in decline and government assistance was limited.

However, the reliance on gendered work such as cooking, sewing, cleaning, reselling, and providing sexual services was not without its consequences. It perpetuated pre-revolutionary gendered divisions of labor, with women being assigned to traditionally feminine roles and men to traditionally masculine roles. This further marginalized women and limited their opportunities for economic empowerment and social advancement.

Despite the challenges faced by Cuban women during the Special Period, they showed remarkable resilience and creativity in adapting to their circumstances. Many formed cooperatives and small businesses, taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the Cuban government's economic reforms to start their own enterprises. These women also played a crucial role in the country's healthcare system, providing care to the sick and elderly and contributing to the development of Cuba's medical industry.

The legacy of the Special Period continues to be felt in Cuba today, with the country still facing economic challenges and ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and social inclusion. However, the experiences of Cuban women during this period serve as a reminder of the importance of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of economic empowerment for all individuals, regardless of gender.

In conclusion, the abrupt loss of Soviet financial support in 1989 resulted in the near-collapse of the Cuban economy, leading to the implementation of stringent austerity measures and severe shortages of food and consumer goods. Women, who were disproportionately impacted by the economic crisis, resorted to informal and illegal earning strategies to sustain themselves and their families. This regression into gendered work perpetuated pre-revolutionary gendered divisions of labor and limited women's opportunities for economic empowerment and social advancement. However, Cuban women showed remarkable resilience and creativity in adapting to their circumstances, forming cooperatives, starting small businesses, and contributing to the country's healthcare system. The legacy of the Special Period continues to be felt in Cuba today, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of gender equality, social inclusion, and economic empowerment for all individuals.

Weight: 515g
Dimension: 222 x 141 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030056292
Edition number: 1st ed. 2019