Laura Chinchilla. Credit: US Embassy, Costa Rica

By Danilo Valladares

GUATEMALA CITY, Mar 5, 2010 (IPS) – The victory of Laura Chinchilla in Costa Rica’s presidential elections, and the growing participation of women in Central American parliaments, point to their progress in the region’s spheres of political power. But they still have a long way to go, experts say. Continue Reading

Carol Orozco hawking candy at a busy intersection in Guatemala City. Credit: Danilo Valladares/IPS

By Danilo Valladares

GUATEMALA CITY, Feb 16, 2010 (IPS) – “I’ve been working in the streets since I was a girl. My parents didn’t send me to school, so it’s really hard for me to find a job,” says Carol Orozco, 31, who forms part of the veritable army of vendors hawking their wares on the streets of Central America.
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