ABSTRACT
Women in Central America, with the exception of Costa Rica, seem to have progressed at a slower pace than women in other parts of Latin America, in terms of social development. The pace and nature of change since the 1970s in Central America have reshaped several major aspects of women's lives. Among all of these important forces, the nature and consequences of refugee status have had some of the greatest impacts on women. Central American refugees share much in common with other refugees but face additional barriers to resettlement. Many have made their way to the United States only to be categorized as economic immigrants instead of political refugees. Education is an important determinant of the level and type of labor participation by women. Women's emancipation in Central America has come at a high price, in part at least as a response to the war.
