On November 8, the María Elena Cuadra Women’s Movement (MEC) received the international award “Leslie Nichols 2022”, a recognition given annually by the American Public Health Association (APHA), to organizations that stand out for their achievements in the field of occupational health and safety.
The news broke her the Maquila Solidarity Network (RSM)a women’s labor rights organization, which noted that since its founding in 1994, the MEC has vigorously defended the rights of garment workers in Nicaragua’s free trade zones, where low wages and a lack of labor protection make women face situations of vulnerability to abuse.
“The work of the MEC has been a source of great inspiration for many. While the current government of Nicaragua has confiscated its offices and has canceled the legal status of the organization, the MEC has reaffirmed its commitment to continue defending the health and rights of workers,” the organization stated after announcing the award.
Related news: Sandra Ramos: “It is a political attack, but María Elena Cuadra is not four walls”
On February 15, the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo canceled the legal status of said organization that defends the rights of women in the countryrepresented by the opposition Sandra Ramos, who in 2018 was part of the table of the failed national dialogue between civil society and the dictatorship.
After being annihilated, last June the facilities of the women’s movement were confiscated and awarded to the Ministry of Health (Minsa) for the operation of a health center, despite the fact that a month earlier Fundación Teletón notified that the MEC had donated its three properties located in Managua, Estelí and Juigalpa, so that they could be used as care centers and shelters for children.
Related news: They set up a health center in facilities confiscated from the María Elena Cuadra Movement
For the MSN, this international award given to the MEC is testimony to the important work that this body has done in protecting the health and safety of women and its permanent commitment to achieving decent jobs for garment workers.
“The MSN admires this important work and feels great emotion to know that the MEC has obtained this well-deserved and prestigious international award,” the organization wrote.
