Intersecting Vulnerabilities, Intersectional Discrimination, and Stigmatization Among People Living Homeless in Nicaragua

Abstract

Objective The main objective of this study is to examine the intersecting vulnerabilities, intersectional discrimination, and stigmatization experienced by homeless people living in León (Nicaragua). Method The data analyzed come from a Point‐In‐Time count carried out in the city of León, which identified 82 people living homeless. Forty‐seven of the people identified responded to a brief questionnaire that provided more accurate information. Results The results obtained showed that people living homeless in León largely presented “non‐white” ethnic‐racial traits, poor personal hygiene, readily visible physical health problems, and observable symptoms associated with mental health problems and alcohol and/or drug abuse. Conclusions The information we obtained showed that people living homeless in León were subject to multiple intersecting vulnerabilities and aggravated forms of intersectional discrimination and social stigmatization, with a cumulative effect that could be highly detrimental to their social inclusion processes, leading to high levels of chronification of homelessness.

The vulnerability of women living homeless in Nicaragua: A comparison between homeless women and men in a low‐income country

“…Competing with men for public spaces, the need to find the same place to spend the night, resorting to begging and sex work puts women living homeless in a situation of special of particular vulnerability. In this sense, the stigma and intersectional discrimination suffered by women can result in rejection and neglect by family and members of the community (Vázquez et al, 2021), which makes them prone to the significant feelings of loneliness and abandonment (Rokach, 2005; Vázquez, Panadero, et al, 2019).…”

“…In Nicaragua, women living homeless – sometimes with under‐age children under their care – presented an ongoing risk of suffering violence (sexual, physical, or verbal), competed with men for public spaces, found themselves needing to seek safe places to stay, had little chance of finding work and at times, needed to resort to sex work to earn money. All this could be leading to high levels of stigmatization of these women and the suffering of significant intersectional discrimination (Vázquez et al, 2021).…”

“…All this could be leading to high levels of stigmatization of these women and the suffering of significant intersectional discrimination (Vázquez et al, 2021).…”

“…While people living homeless in Nicaragua tend to have had high levels of alcohol consumption in their lives, drug use – despite very high levels – is not as widespread in this social sector (Vázquez et al, 2020). Furthermore, it has been found that people living homeless in Nicaragua have very little social support (Vázquez et al, 2021).…”

A qualitative exploration of the acceptability of a cognitive behavioural therapy self-help book for people with psychosis in Nicaragua

“…In addition, the self-help book would be unlikely to benefit the most vulnerable (e.g. people with intersecting vulnerabilities, Vázquez et al, 2021). Future self-help interventions will require development and research in more diverse sections of the population.…”