Gender, ethnicity and political parties in the regional elections of the Caribbean Coast: challenges of diversity

Abstract

How inclusive of ethnic and gender diversity have the Autonomous Regional Councils of the Caribbean Coast been? What has been the commitment to inclusion shown by political parties, including regional political organizations, to promote the participatory rights of women and indigenous peoples and minority ethnic communities, so that they can promote their own visions of autonomy? These are the questions addressed in this essay. Based on an analysis of the political and gender composition of the Regional Councils, the authors argue that “national and regional political parties must make a greater effort to include women and ethnic minority groups in order to strengthen the regional leadership and management of the Autonomous Governments of the Nicaraguan Caribbean.