The belligerence with which the women’s movement has defended its rights during the last ten years has made it to stand out as one of the main political actors of the country. Its level of development and articulation permitted the realization of systematic actions of denunciation, demands and mobilization on behalf of women’s rights, in particular, sexual and civil rights all over Nicaragua’s territory. Specially important has been the struggle developed during the last three years in order to avoid the abolition of therapeutical abortion by the Nicaraguan State and later for its restitution and decriminalization as a legitimate right of women.
The intensity and consistency of its actions has placed the movement in the national public agenda, earning recognition, legitimacy and public presence with its political standing regarding women’s rights and the overall situation of the country. Furthermore, for the government it has become a political adversary to reckon with due to its capacity for pressure, confrontation and conflict. During these years the women’s movement has experienced a process of identity building clearly based in two pillars: autonomy in relation to the State, political parties, religious groups and other actors; and a feminist position. It has gained strength in organization and politics, in such a manner that is one of society most active actors.
For these and other reasons, HIVOS and ISS of Holland, trough the Knowledge Exchange Program on Social Movements and Citizenship in Central America, decided to make a case study to analyze Nicaragua’s women’s movement and the strategies developed during the last ten years to defend and extent women’s rights.
The study took into account a broad participation of the movement’s leaders through the different activities of knowledge exchange and reflections involved at national and local level. This exercise of an ample and frank debate allowed to go in deeply into some important aspects such as: the background of the movement, the strategies, the relationship with different social and political actors, the strength of the movement and the challenges for the future. It also incorporates the assessment and voices of the autonomous regions of the Caribbean Coast, in order to know their perspectives on the movement.
The researchers wishes to thank the leaders of the movement as well as the officials and researchers of HIVOS and ISS, for the opportunity to participate in this study, from a perspective that draws near the academy and the social actors.
Video: https://www.movimientoautonomodemujeres.org/