1. Neoliberal Policy and Gender in Nicaragua Neoliberal policy and gender in Nicaragua

2. Recent History of Nicaragua The Sandinistas came to power in 1979. They created a mixed (socialist and capitalist) economy, with growth, more education and health care. They had a branch specific to helping women. To fund the civil war against the Conta rebels they switched to more exports, laid off workers and cut greatly back on social services. When Violetta Chamorro was elected, her party the UNO, supported a structural readjustment,

3. Effects of Structural Adjustment more foreign competition + fewer subsidies + fewer price controls = shortage of materials and demand for goods Reducing tariffs + free trade zones + favoring big industry = less small industry and growth of informal sector All of this lead to low wages and high unemployment and inflation, leading to the worst depression in Nicaraguan history

4. Effect economic crisis had on women Lower wages and higher unemployment then men Lower wages and higher unemployment then men Women are cushion during crisis, having to go to extremes to take care of their families Women are cushion during crisis, having to go to extremes to take care of their families

5. Women’s cooperatives UNO government did not support small industry (Chamorro preferred large scale business) UNO government did not support small industry (Chamorro preferred large scale business) Women taking the brunt of economic crisis allowed it to continue Women taking the brunt of economic crisis allowed it to continue

6. Women’s United Textile Cooperative Used by CONAPI as a model of small business, but didn’t help when things got worse. Used by CONAPI as a model of small business, but didn’t help when things got worse. Undersold by used clothes from the US Undersold by used clothes from the US Decreased membership slowed production Decreased membership slowed production Eventually had to sell the store Eventually had to sell the store Had to cross border to other Latin American countries to buy cheaper fabric Had to cross border to other Latin American countries to buy cheaper fabric

7. Industrial Bakers of Managua Both men and women members Both men and women members Ample office space and regular meetings Ample office space and regular meetings Disbanded after flour producers started selling directly to bakeries at lower prices Disbanded after flour producers started selling directly to bakeries at lower prices Bakeries saw little use in membership in a floundering co-op creating more competition for the co-op Bakeries saw little use in membership in a floundering co-op creating more competition for the co-op

8. Francisco Estrada Cooperative Low sales since most Nicaraguans can’t afford fine jewelry Low sales since most Nicaraguans can’t afford fine jewelry Tried to export to Europe or find stores or hotel gift stores to sell the jewelry without any success Tried to export to Europe or find stores or hotel gift stores to sell the jewelry without any success A CONAPI loan allowed them to expand their workshop A CONAPI loan allowed them to expand their workshop

9. Welders Cooperative Started with 10 women talking a welding course, breaking many gender norms Started with 10 women talking a welding course, breaking many gender norms Argument over how work was divided, and whether to join CONAPI Argument over how work was divided, and whether to join CONAPI Failure to decide to accept a peace corp, family obligations, and “husband jealousy” forced co-op to close Failure to decide to accept a peace corp, family obligations, and “husband jealousy” forced co-op to close

10. Informal sector 50% of workers in Managua work in the informal sector, 60% of all female workers and 49% of all male workers are in the informal sector 50% of workers in Managua work in the informal sector, 60% of all female workers and 49% of all male workers are in the informal sector Informal sector had joined cooperatives and unions under Sandinista, but not any more Informal sector had joined cooperatives and unions under Sandinista, but not any more

11. conclusions Women cutting back expenses Women cutting back expenses Strong resistance to structural adjustments adjustments Strong resistance to structural adjustments adjustments Women often take the brunt of the economic crisis Women often take the brunt of the economic crisis 44% of economically active population is women 44% of economically active population is women