The First Prize of the VII Women Entrepreneurs International Workshop (WEIC, for its acronym in English), which was awarded between last February 27-29 at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba under the motto of Sustainable Fashion. Focus, Trends and Opportunities, was delivered to the renowned Cuban fashion designer Mariela Caridad Alemán Orozco.

Arturo Valdés Curbeira, General Director of the Cuban Assets Fund Cultural Organizations (CAFCO), after hearing the news, expressed in his social media account Facebook: This new award is an honor for Matanzas creators, their closest friends who know your work spirit. His elevated artistic vision, his total camaraderie, luminous and always familiar person. We share and receive this result as ours. The collective of #FCBCMatanzas workers congratulate you. Thank you Mariela.”

WEIC 2024 responds to the national policy of empowerment and growth of women and aims to explore in depth the issue of ethical fashion and sustainable; disseminate and raise awareness among producers and consumers about the importance of greater harmony between its products, the environment and people; as well as promoting fair fashion that values creativity, crafts and design; as long as it preserves the environment and respects especially people.

It's also committed to a greener and better world, while including and celebrating life, not destroying it and it’s sponsored by SOL& MED Events, the CAFCO, the National Design Office, the Higher Institute of Design and the Cuban Association of Artisan Artists (ACAA) in alliance with the Federation of Cuban Women (FCW).

Internationally recognized, Mariela stands out for recording in her textile works an accentuated national symbolism. Her designs are a reflection of identity, of Cuban identity, of search in popular language, and at the same time refined, of her dresses, blouses, shirts in which is evident her proximity to art, as if trying to break the barriers imposed between the creation of clothing and contemporary art.

She also studies the harmonious and expressive effects of the dyes she uses on fabrics, the use of embroidery, lace and other applications that, together make up an admirable and charming visuality conceived for both males and females of all ages.

The Award was presented to her at her workshop-gallery located in the rural town of Las Guásimas, in the Matanzas municipality of Cárdenas by Mercy Correa Piñero, who for more than four decades has actively and enthusiastic worked in the CAFCO along with other directors of this company belonging to the Ministry of Culture.

WEIC 2024 was inaugurated by Teresa Amarelle Boué, general secretary of the CWF and member of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, during the VII International Workshop of Business Women, fashion parades, conferences, presentations, and panels; while gastronomy also was represented under the title Sustainable fashion?, by Maité Cruz, co-owner of the local development project Las Margaritas, of Ciego de Ávila province.

The most outstanding presentations and stands were also awarded.

Also present at the opening were the Italian ambassador to Cuba, Roberto Vellano, since a good part of the participants in this event came from that European country.

Female entrepreneurship stimulates the source of income in different spheres of production and services, particularly in the sector of culture, management in which the Cuban Fund leads, in accordance with the objectives proposed by the WEIC of generating its own income, creating jobs and have a positive impact on society.

Lack of access to financing, gender discrimination, cultural barriers and little or no institutional support, resolved premises in our country thanks to the full emancipation of women and their increasingly most predominant role in society. It’s considered a growing phenomenon throughout the world and particularly in Cuba with emphasis.

According to World Bank reports, in 2019 women represented 42% of small and medium-sized business (SME) owners globally. This figure has increased steadily in recent years, and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff