Occasional publications, Working papers

This paper by Katy Skarlatos looks at the microfinance industry and its relationship to women’s empowerment and propose ways that microfinance programs can be reformed to have the greatest impact on women’s empowerment strategies. It analyzes existing institutions and market failures that sustain the practice of restricted credit access, examines the role of women in the Nicaraguan economy, recognizes some of the existing arguments against microfinance as a tool for empowerment, and concludes with specific recommendations as well as national regulatory limitations for creating microfinancial institutions that empower women to redefine their status in the home, community, and national economy.

This paper by Jessica Athens focuses on the negative impacts Nicaragua’s substandard housing can have on the health—physical, mental, and social—of its population. It examines resources from the World Health Organization, the Pan-American Health Organization, and the Inter-American Healthy Housing Network to establish a framework for understanding the many relationships between housing quality and health status. It offers suggestions to urban planners, non-governmental organizations, and others looking to implement housing programs as a component of public health initiatives.

Compiled by Amanda Mehl, this directory lists 20 national and grassroots women's organizations in Nicaragua, with contact information and brief overviews on the histories, goals, current projects, and future plans of each organization.

Compiled by Lynn VanAirsdale and Carrie Hirsch, this directory lists 31 sister-city projects throughout the United States, with contact information, histories and descriptions of their major projects and activities.

More than 80 publications listed, in both English and Spanish.

Forty-five publications listed, in both English and Spanish.

Francisco Barquero, WCCN's Loan Fund Representative in Nicaragua, completed his Ph.D. in 2002 with this doctoral dissertation, which examines a case study of the "Hand-in-Hand" community bank in Waslala, Nicaragua. It found three main factors that determine the success of women's participation in lending programs.