Gender Norms and Educational Outcomes for Latinas in Nicaragua

By Véronique Lahaie Luna and Dr. Benjamin M. Drury

Rigidly controlled behaviors and opportunities limit practical access to education and opportunities for upward social mobility for Latinas living in Nicaragua.

MILITANT/LINDA JOYCE Women in militia in Bluefields, Nicaragua, 1983. After revolutionary course was abandoned by Sandinista leaders in late 1980s, women lost many gains. Abortion was totally banned in 2006.

There exists an important issue within Nicaraguan society regarding the cultural interpretation of women’s place, autonomy, and their role within the family. Socially constructed norms related to gender affect people in varying degrees of intensity and frequency. We acknowledge that Nicaragua faces obstacles in aligning with normative social bonds observed in other South American countries. Persistent patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes regarding gender roles and identities in Nicaragua can be oppressive and limiting for women, preventing them from exercising their autonomy and choosing how they want to live their lives. Nicaragua is also a place in the world where women’s autonomy is seen as dangerous or a threat to the collective interests of the family and the nation is a concerning observation. It suggests that there are societal pressures and expectations placed on women that hinder their ability to fully participate and thrive in various spheres of Nicaraguan society.

Addressing these cultural interpretations and stereotypes is crucial for promoting gender…