Women's organizations and local democracy: Promoting effective participation of women in Central America

Michael Clulow presents four feminist non-governmental organizations that have played a leading role in democratizing local activities to include the participation of women. Las Dignas and Las Mélidas from El Salvador, CEM-H from Honduras and Grupo Venancia from Nicaragua individually and collectively have successfully developed many tools and approaches to promote women's participation. He suggests at the heart of all their work, and the key to their successes are the building of strong participatory organizations and the empowerment and training of women.