Nicaragua

During the past years, Nicaragua has experienced the effects of the international financial crisis, losing markets for Nicaraguan products, experiencing reduced employment and reduced money transfers from Nicaraguan migrant workers in the US and Costa Rica. Development assistance transfers were also reduced.

There are a number of challenges related to development in Nicaragua and the fight against poverty. The government aims primarily at strengthening the state's role in securing welfare for the population. To some extent it has succeeded in this, particularly when it comes to education and health. The government welcomes development assistance, but wants to conduct its policies without conditions imposed by the donors. However, as a condition for development assistance, many donor countries require Nicaragua to undertake development-promoting policies, guarantee human rights, practice transparency and democracy, and adhere to the principles of the rule of law. This creates many challenges.

Pilot countries and assistance to rape victims

The Action Plan for Women's Rights and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation will continue through 2013. The strategy focuses on seven countries. The pilot countries are Angola, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Nepal and Nicaragua. All these countries will be followed up very closely. The initiative for women covers everything from the climate and environment to peace and reconciliation.

There are four thematic priority areas within the work for gender equality: Women's empowerment, women's participation in society, women's right to be in control over their own body and sexuality, and women's right to live a life without violence. The main focus now is to provide professional assistance to support the work in these areas.

In Nicaragua, Norwegian development assistance has bolstered the rights of many victims of violence against women. Domestic violence is widespread in Nicaragua. Statistics show that one in three women is subjected to physical violence and abuse.

Hundreds of women have been helped by the three shelters operated by the Nicaraguan Alliance of Women's Centres. The shelters offer women psychological assistance, medical care and legal assistance.

Norway has supported the fight against violence against women in Nicaragua with NOK 40 million since 1994. In addition to supporting the Alliance of Women's Centres, Norway and other donors have helped establish over 30 reception centres for women, linked to police stations around the country.

Clean energy

In 2009, Norway signed an agreement with UNDP and Nicaragua's Ministry of Energy and Mines on support for a programme focusing on building small hydro-electric power plants and installing turbines in isolated villages. The aim is to reduce poverty. Secretary of State Ingrid Fiskaa marked the start of cooperation during a visit to the country.

Governance and corruption

Nicaragua has a low integrity score on Transparency International's corruption index. Norway heads a group of four donors supporting an anti-corruption fund that provides resources for anti-corruption work in five government institutions.

Phasing out

The Norwegian Foreign Service mission in Nicaragua is being phased out in 2011.