Challenges faced by mothers in completing their university degrees at the Matagalpa Regional University Center (CUR-Matagalpa)

Abstract

This study focuses on one of the vulnerable groups in higher education: university student mothers. This focus is in line with the National Plan to Combat Poverty and Promote Human Development (2022-2026) of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity, the National Strategy for Education in all its forms 2024-2026, and the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN-Managua) through its Guiding Principles, which promote free, quality education and gender equality, providing equal professional development opportunities for men and women. The objective of the study is to analyze the challenges faced by mothers during their university studies and upon graduation, with the aim of reducing school dropout and postponement of studies, providing these mothers with professional training. This will give them the opportunity to enter the workforce and achieve emotional and economic independence and residency. The methodology adopted is based on a sociocritical paradigm, with a mixed approach and a descriptive level of depth. The design is non-experimental and cross-sectional. Among the main conclusions are the importance of support networks for the completion of their studies, the lack of specific policies and strategies aimed at this group, and the correlation between their dependence and the incidence of gender violence.