Honduras

The Republic of Honduras is located in Central America. Most of the population is mestizo. The predominant culture is Hispanic although there are also sizeable indigenous Afro-Honduran and Arab-Honduran groups. The predominant religion is Roman Catholic. The social concept of machismo, emphasizing male dominance and virility, and marianismo, emphasizing female purity, are common in Hispanic cultures. These attitudes limit political and economic [Page 720]opportunities for women and encourage high rates of domestic violence. Women's opportunities are also limited by high poverty levels. Honduras ranked 62nd of 134 countries in the World Economic Forum's 2009 Global Gender Gap Report.

Protestors were divided after the 2009 military coup that ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya in Honduras.

Common-law, civil, and church marriages are all practiced. Newlyweds each take both ...