Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, the teenage pregnancy rate is 82.5 births per 1,000 girls between 14 and 19 years of age, making it one of the highest in Latin America. Young people also have limited access to health services and advice. Together with our local partner organisation MIRIAM, we support young people through improved health care and information about sexual health, violence prevention and psychosocial support.
Hear from the people on the ground
Daysi Rubi Zelaya
14 years old
In the area around Estelí, girls and women are severely affected by gender-based violence (GBV). Their lives are characterised by psychological and physical abuse, as well as domestic and sexual violence. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Nicaragua has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Latin America. In many cases, this is the result of violence and a lack of knowledge about contraception.
The aim is to create a protective environment for young people in Estelí that reduces violence and early pregnancies and enables sustainable change.
In the last project phase, 300 young people and 60 parents and guardians benefitted from our work. Around 1,500 people were reached through the information measures.
Since 1989, MIRIAM has been working in the city of Estelí to promote and protect the rights of girls and women, with the aim of strengthening social and gender justice. terre des hommes schweiz has been supporting MIRIAM since 2023.
Estelí is located in the north of Nicaragua and is the capital of the department of Estelí. The current project phase covers the years 2024–2026 with an annual budget of CHF 60,000.
terre des hommes schweiz
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4058 Basel