Nicaragua: Women protest changes that would force them to face their abuser

Theguardian.com reported that thousands of women in Nicaragua have taken to the streets to protest against legal changes that could push female victims of crime to sit face-to-face with their abusers.

Law 779, which came into effect in June 2012 and criminalises violence against women, has been under siege from conservative, religious and men’s groups, who say the legislation is discriminatory towards men and is causing the breakup of families. Opponents of the law object to a section of the legislation that prohibits mediation between victims and abusers. Last year of 85 femicides registered in Nicaragua, 13 of the victims had agreed to mediation. Women’s organisations insist mediation does not protect women’s lives and that Law 779 must remain intact as initially passed.Read Article