A total of 63 violent deaths of women is the final count left by 2017. Of these cases, 51 correspond to femicides, seven to murders of women and five to girls, according to a report by the Catholic organization for the Right to Decide. And so far in 2018, nine women have died for this same crime in different parts of the country.
This March 8 marks International Women's Day, it is an important date in the world and Nicaragua is no exception. The great paradox is that women continue to be in the news fundamentally with a negative approach, that is, as victims of physical or psychological aggression and, in the worst case, victims of death.
Women's empowerment continues to be a central element in organizations that work and make efforts to address the social, economic and political challenges facing women today.
The United Nations has promoted the participation of women on equal terms with men in achieving sustainable development, peace, security and full respect for human rights.
The media continue to influence the destinies and social roles of women, often limiting them to a context of inequality that currently should be overcome once and for all, but also from this scenario there are women who work to change these realities.
Lucia Pineda Ubau, a journalist and a benchmark for national television, considers that "To the extent that stories or content of women in positions of power are published, this way of seeing women can be transformed into the simple role of housewife." home".
Ivania Álvarez Bendaña, a university professor at the UCA, considers that "The spaces for women in Nicaragua are still being conquered, but there have also been great advances, since now there are women in different scenarios, there are women in politics, leading companies, in social movements, in the media, and women who are starting businesses on a small and large scale, but there is still a need to conquer more spaces for women with decision-making power.
But how can communication contribute to lowering the rate of femicide in the country, and empowering women so that they have greater opportunities for participation?
Lucia Pineda Ubau considers that “Presenting stories, cases of women who survived and today tell their testimony to educate those who are in a situation that they have already experienced. Do not stop denouncing in the media and through any other communication platform. The violent man who even lacks food for his children, has to continue to be exposed and if justice does not punish him, society will condemn him. The testimonies count a lot when it comes to raising awareness among women so that they break the silence. The testimonies raise awareness in society and can permeate to lower this culture of violence.
Likewise, the journalist Lucía Pineda Ubau considers that “Everything lies in the message, not justifying any form of abuse. In each journalistic note you have to educate, not lose the astonishment of each case, because there is a risk that it becomes something natural, normal, and violence cannot be normalized ”.
However, despite this, women are an example of strength, and this is reflected in their ability to overcome the adversities that come with being a woman in Nicaragua, and the constant struggle they have maintained for laws to be approved. for her rights as a woman.
For Lucia Pineda Ubau this March 8 “The advances and opening of spaces that have been made by different public and private institutions for women should be celebrated. But you should also reflect on how to eradicate violence.
And above all that women keep their self-esteem high. This will allow them to achieve all their professional and personal goals. A woman with high self-esteem feels confident in herself and will be the first to report if she is mistreated. A woman with high esteem will help others to get out of their state of abuse.
