Nicaragua

The Law 648/2008 (Ley 648/2008: "Ley de Igualdad de Derechos y Oportunidades") ensures the gender equality in the exercise of civil and political rights at all levels, including the promotion of the necessary measures, in conformity with the Law of the matter, in order to establish a proportional percentage of women and men to the positions on the electoral lists of the national, regional, municipal and of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), as well as the integration of decision-making bodies of the public administration and of the regional and municipal governments. The political parties and other expressions of civil society organizations, will seek the equal participation of women and men in the decision-making positions and procedures, by including in their Party Statutes a disposition that ensures an effective democratic participation in the election procedures of their authorities and candidates. This does not invalidate the academic, intellectual and ethical requirements, as well as the capacities and experience required to the candidates or applicants to the different nominations or positions. (Articles 8-12)

• Samqui, Eva María (2008), "Participación política de la mujeres: ¿caminamos o vamos dando traspiés?", in Del dicho al hecho: manual de buenas practicas para la participacion de mujeres en los partidos politícos latinoamericanos, Beatriz Llanos & Kristen Sample (eds.), Stockholm: International IDEA