Picture of our Brigade with six members of Las Dioses Co-op (works closely with La Fondacion Entre Mujeres (FEM), or Foundation between Women). I’m in the back row, third from right.

by Dianne Blais
WILPF US Secretary
Convener, Jane Addams Branch

February 2023

I was one of 22 women who traveled in Nicaragua from January 7-16, 2023, to investigate the conditions and the lives of Nicaraguan women. Several leaders in our group had spent many years in Nicaragua and were emphatic about the improvements made by the Sandinista socialist government.

The trip was organized by the Jubilee House Community – Casa Benjamin Linder and Alliance for Global Justice.

The delegation heard from women at co-cops, numerous health care centers, parliament, a police station, a maternity waiting home, historical sites, and museums. We heard of women’s efforts to surmount abuse, of their community involvement, and of their resilience.

The Sandinista government prioritizes human rights to water, housing, education, health, safety, and food. We heard much about the construction of a highway unifying people of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, electricity in almost all homes, and the expansion of fiber optic cable to remote areas.

Terrific strides have been made in education and gender equity in Nicaragua. Half of candidates for elected office must be women.

We learned about US involvement in Nicaragua and were encouraged to ask our government to respect their country’s sovereignty. As we approach the 200th Anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine, the delegation unanimously supports lifting sanctions imposed on the Nicaraguan people and government.

For more info, contact me at DianneBlais@aol.com or call me at 703-830-1998.