Idioma
The RIDHE had the honor of participating in a critical panel on the sexual and reproductive rights of women in Nicaragua. The panel included prominent figures such as Mrs.Ana Peláez Narváez, Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and Mr. Andrés Sánchez Thorin, Deputy Representative of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. RIDHE’s Deputy Head of the Regional Office Latin America, Winnye Bernard, emphasized the urgent need for reforms to restrictive policies in Nicaragua and highlighted the importance of strengthening international support to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of women in the country.
Restrictions in Nicaragua: The panel underscored that restrictive laws and a lack of public policies in Nicaragua have created a devastating environment for women’s sexual and reproductive rights, leaving women in extremely vulnerable situations. Women in Nicaragua face significant barriers to justice in cases of gender-based violence, exacerbated by the dismantling of protective institutions, the closure of advocacy organizations, the criminalization of activists, the absence of mental health policies, and a persistent social stigma. This context not only perpetuates violence but also discourages women from seeking justice and protection.
Winnye Bernard highlighted the urgent need for reforms that protect and promote sexual and reproductive rights, and the key role the international community can play in this process. It is crucial that the Nicaraguan state ratifies the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), thereby formally committing to human rights and gender equality. These treaties are essential legal tools to combat impunity for hate crimes, gender-based violence, and crimes against humanity.
The international community must strongly recommend the restoration and strengthening of Law 779, the Comprehensive Law Against Violence Towards Women, reversing recent reforms that have weakened its effectiveness. Additionally, it is necessary to promote the creation of educational and awareness programs on sexual and reproductive health, as well as initiatives for mental health and social protection that address the root causes of the structural barriers women face in Nicaragua.
At RIDHE, we reaffirm our commitment to defending human rights in Nicaragua and call on all international actors to unite in defense of the rights of Nicaraguan women. The situation demands an immediate and coordinated response to bring hope and solutions for those who today are completely unprotected in their own country.
“Cada becario/a aquí presente es una prueba vivente de la capacidad humana para superar las circunstancias más desafiantes...
