Where has the revolution gone? : gender and politics in Nicaragua

This thesis examines the relationship between the government and women\u27s organizations in Nicaragua from 1979 to the present. This period begins with the institutionalization ofwomen1s involvement, the election of Nicaragua\u27s first female President, to the return of the revolutionary party that first championed women1s participation. I analyze quantitative state-level social, political, and economic indicators and qualitative literature on major women\u27s issues during each administration based on primary and secondary sources and elite level interviews in the project. The data has been collected from inter- and non-governmental organizations, personal interviews, newspapers, and scholars on women\u27s activism and Nicaragua. This thesis challenges the argument that increased women\u27s participation in politics influences governments to pursue policies that benefit women. The independent women1s movement has struggled with several governments to preserve the economic and social rights gained after the revolution. The women\u27s movements have revealed the actual conditions of life for Nicaraguan women