1'1" I, 276 Ml fe ad as no 268. The representative of Cuba, in answering the experts' questions, explained that there had been massive participation by women in the public discussion of the Constitution and that the Penal Code provided sanctions for. the offence of discrimination and also contained provisions for invoking the Convention before the courts. 269. With respect to activities on behalf of peace, the trade union movement was particularly active whenever it perceived that the survival of the human species was threatened. 27 Se ch' th in 270. Membership in the Federation of Cuban Women was voluntary and, at present, over 2.5 million women over the age of 14, or approximately 82 per cent of the female popUlation, were members. Those who were not members could, however, participate in the social and cultural activities of the Federation. The President of the Federation was a member of the Council of State and President of the ~ational ASDembly's Standing Committee on ChildhOOd, Youth and Equal Rights for Women, and it was through her that the problems and concerns of women were brought beiore the highest authorities of the country. 27 su al 271. The number of women members was large in non-governmental organizations, trade I unions, local popUlar power institutions, student organizations and in any other ' mass organization. It was through those different organizations that fundamental changes had been made in the national life of the country. sy ca pr 272. As part of the campaign to bring houseWlves up to the ninth-grade level of education, the Federation of Cuban Women had organized classes for the general pUblic with advice from, and using the curriculum of, the Ministry of Education. 28 ed a I pr ex 273. Regardlng education, scholarships and other facilities were granted according to scholastic proficiency and there was no distinction between the sexes. "Correct integral attitude" referred to punctuality, academic achievement, discipline and neatness. 274. Stereotyped thinking was avoided from the earliest level at school through co-education and by paying attention to textbooks, avoiding segregation in sports and through the mass media. That purpose was also served by vocational guidance in' the so-called "interest circles" which operated at all levels of the educational process. Although there was equal access to education at all levels, there were women who had not received the necessary training, a circumstance which could be explained by the fact that access to ed~catio~ was an achievement dating back only 20 years. Another factor that had to be taken into account was the drop-out rate. 275. Among the measures which had been taken to help girls choose non-traditional occupations there were "interest circles", which had been established for the purpose of identifying and developing children's aptitudes in order to guide them more effectively towards the kinds of education and occupations which suited them. Such circles functioned in all schools and within them students were offered classes related to the spheres of agriculture, industry, science, technology and the arts, they were organized in prlmary, secondary and pre-university schools and were among the optional actlvities open to stUdents. The courses were taught by speciallzed personnel and their aim was to educate young people and, above all, to eliminate all forms of prejUdice with respect to the choice of stUdies, careers and occupations. -39- '\ 27 he in \ . 28 bi Ho si sa bi CU 28 pr le po re th Go\ re 28 co th st gu em ex