Nicaragua | Gender in Infrastructure

Legal Framework and Institutional Mechanisms

Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Ratification in 1981. Main reference document for equality between men and women. Through its ratification or accession to it the States are legally bound to adopt all necessary measures, including special temporary measures and laws, in order for women to fully enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). The signatory countries take responsibility for the implementation of the Platform for Action, in which 12 critical areas of concern for the advancement of women are defined.
Political Constitution (1987) and reforms. Absolute equality is established for all Nicaraguans for the enjoyment of their political rights; in regards to both, the exercise of said rights and the fulfillment of their duties and responsibilities, there is absolute equality between men and women. It is the State's obligation to eliminate all obstacles effectively impeding equality among Nicaraguans and their participation in the country's political, social and economic life.
Women's Ministry (Reform 2012). It ensures women's equitable, equal and complementary participation, through national strategies, policies and programs which effectively contribute to the strengthening of their involvement, and their enjoyment of full responsibilities and rights in the framework of integral human development.

Equal opportunities

Act on Equal Rights and Opportunities (2008). This act's goal is: to promote equality and equity between men and women regarding the enjoyment of human, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights; to establish general principles for public policies aimed at guaranteeing effective equality within existing legal regulations for men and women in order to ensure women's full development, and establish essential mechanisms through which every public administration body and government branch, as well as local governments are to ensure effective equality between men and women.
National Plan for Human Development 2012 - 2016. It includes a Policy for Women's Development, based on the following pillars: Women's leadership and empowerment; Promotion of gender equity in leadership positions across labor, political, professional and community spheres.
Labor Code (1996). It establishes that working women fully enjoy the rights guaranteed under this Code and related laws in equal conditions and opportunities and may not be subject to discrimination due to being women. It also establishes that wages are to be in accordance with their skills and position.

Personal and labor conciliation

Labor Code (1996). Female workers shall enjoy amaternity leave during the four weeks prior to childbirth and the subsequent eight, or ten for multiple births, enjoying either their last or highest-ever salary. No provision is made regardingpaternity leave.

Violence due to gender

Decree 42 (2014). Regulation of the Comprehensive Act on Violence against Women (recognizes femicide to be a specific criminal offense).

Legal Framework and Institutional Mechanisms

Equal opportunities

Personal and labor conciliation

Violence due to gender

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