Uphill Battles: Gender machismo in Nicaragua

Nicaraguan family (© Pullitzer Center/Eleanor Klibanoff)

Centuries of machismo continue to exert a strong influence on Nicaraguan society. Women are regarded as inferior, and domestic violence is rampant. Homosexuality is illegal, and gays and lesbians are struggling to create a space for themselves in society. Two local groups have been working for the past few years to change Nicaraguan society’s attitudes towards women, create greater awareness of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and increase tolerance towards gays and lesbians.

Producer: Eric Beauchemin

Broadcast: November 15, 2000