Pathways to change: Three decades of feminist research and activism to end violence against women in Nicaragua.

This paper presents the results of nearly three decades of partnership between feminist researchers and activists to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Nicaragua. A household survey conducted in 1995 in León, the country's second-largest city, revealed that 55 per cent of women had experienced lifetime physical intimate partner violence (IPV), and 27 per cent had experienced IPV in the last 12 months. The study results were instrumental in changing domestic violence laws in Nicaragua. A follow-up study in 2016 found a decrease of 63 per cent in lifetime physical IPV and 70 per cent in 12-month physical IPV. This paper examines possible explanations for the reduction, including the policy reforms resulting from feminist advocacy. We compare risk and protective factors for physical IPV, such as changes in women's attitudes towards violence, their use of services, and knowledge of laws, using data from both the 1995 and 2016 surveys, as well as three waves of Demographic and Health Surveys. We conclude that the decline in IPV can be partially attributed to the efforts of the Nicaraguan women's movements to reform laws, provide services for survivors, transform gender norms, and increase women's knowledge of their human rights.

Long-term change in the prevalence of intimate partner violence: a 20-year follow-up study in León, Nicaragua, 1995-2016.

Introduction: Although intimate partner violence (IPV) affects an estimated one out of three women globally, evidence on violence prevention is still scarce. No studies have measured long-term change in larger populations over a prolonged period. Methods: The aim of this study was to measure changes in the prevalence of IPV in León, Nicaragua, between 1995 and 2016. The 2016 study interviewed 846 ever-partnered women aged 15 to 49 regarding experiences of physical, sexual and emotional IPV. These findings were analysed together with comparable data collected from 354 women in 1995. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was carried out on a pooled data set to identify differences between the two studies while controlling for potential confounding factors. Results: Lifetime physical IPV decreased from 54.8 to 27.6 per cent (adjusted OR (AOR) 0.37; 95% CI 0.28 to 0.49) and 12-month prevalence of physical IPV decreased from 28.2 to 8.3 per cent (AOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.42), respectively. Similar decreases were found in lifetime and 12-month emotional IPV. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of lifetime sexual violence between the two time periods. Conclusions: The results suggest that the reduction in IPV was not due to demographic shifts, such as increased education or age, but reflects a true decrease in the prevalence of IPV. The decrease is not likely to have occurred on its own, and may be attributable to multisectoral efforts by the Nicaraguan government, international donors and the Nicaraguan women's movement to increase women's knowledge of their rights, as well as access to justice and services for survivors during this time period.

From "among girl friends" to "among mothers"--baseline research adjusts a health promoting intervention in Nicaragua.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to show how baseline findings can redefine the design of an intervention. DESIGN: A baseline cross-sectional study. Setting. The study area was a suburban community near the Nicaraguan capital, Managua. SUBJECTS: A sample of 612 girls aged 10 to 14 years was selected, and 592 (97%) participated in the study. MEASURES: Using individual interviews, data were collected on sociodemographics; self-esteem and life prospects; gender; sexuality and human reproduction; knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases, human immunodeficiency virus, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; violence; and networking. ANALYSIS: Frequency tables. RESULTS: A high proportion (87.5%) of the girls lived with their mothers, and only 59% had their fathers living with the family. In 51% of the sample, the mothers made the decisions at home. For the majority of the girls, their mothers were their referent persons when they wanted to talk about sexuality and pregnancies, whereas only a few girls said they would talk with friends. CONCLUSION: The mother is the most important significant other, and thus, according to the theory of reasoned action, she would be the most important person to influence the girl. Careful investigations into which groups are forming the norms are essential for an effective intervention program in order to change behavior and enhance self-esteem.

¿Cómo atender a la mujeres que viven situación de violencia doméstica?

La Red de Mujeres contra la Violencia y el Departamento de Médicina Preventiva y Salud pública de la Facultad de Médicina UNAN-LEON, han preparado esta guíacomo parte para mejorar la atención a las mujeres que viven violencia doméstica en las Unidades de Salud, del Ministerio de Salud, así como Centros Privadosy alternativas de salud, especificamente para aquellos que tienen relación directa con la población médica personal de enfermería, trabajo social, salud mental y demás normas de salud. Presenta elementos conceptuales y técnicas básicas para ayudarle a reconocer, atender y prevenir los casos de violencia intrafamiliar que sepresenten en la Unidad de Salud, sobretodo aquellas mujeres que son victimas de violencia en la pareja