Amnesty International at 50

Celebrating 50 years of uniting against injustice

Defending women's and girls' rights in Nicaragua

Nicaragua's butterflies of hope

Thank you for expressing your solidarity with women and girls in Nicaragua. Your butterfly has joined more than 50,000 others, demanding an end to sexual violence and to the total ban on abortion in Nicaragua.

“We really appreciate all the expressions of solidarity. They give us the energy to continue this struggle.” – Argentina Espinoza, Director of the Ixchen Centres for women and girls in Nicaragua

“As young people and children, we are asking for freedom and justice. No more domestic, psychological and spiritual violence. I hope we get a good response from you today. We have to break the silence and not be afraid anymore.” – Message to presidential candidates on a butterfly created by a young survivor of sexual violence

Your butterflies joined women and girls on the 28 September demonstrations marking the Day for the Decriminalization of Abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean. Together we have sent a powerful message to all the candidates for the November presidential elections – respect the human rights of women and girls and end sexual violence and the total ban on abortion.

A women's centre lawyer supports a young survivor of sexual violence.

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Learn more about Amnesty International's campaign to end sexual violence against girls and women in Nicaragua »

In Nicaragua, girls and young women are at greatest risk of rape and sexual violence. Almost half of all rapes reported between 1998 and 2008 involved girls aged 14 or under.

For some women and girls made pregnant by rape, the idea of giving birth is unbearable. But since 2008, when Nicaragua made all forms of abortion in all circumstances a crime, they have had little choice.

Women and girls in Nicaragua are demanding the repeal of the total abortion ban. They are calling for their right to be free from sexual violence and for support for survivors of violence to put their lives back on track.

The Nicaraguan government must act to put an end to this human rights emergency.