Law 779, Integral Law Against Violence Towards Women, provides a comprehensive legal framework to prevent, punish, and eradicate violence against women in Nicaragua. It guarantees women the right to live free from violence in both public and private spheres, including protection of their sexual and reproductive integrity.

The Labor Code of Nicaragua guarantees equal treatment and opportunities for workers, prohibiting all forms of discrimination. Fundamental Principle XIII establishes that every worker has the right to equal pay for equal work, without distinction, in recognition of the dignity of the human person. Article 17 reinforces this principle by prohibiting employers from engaging in discriminatory practices that limit or exclude access to employment, including demanding payment or compensation in exchange for a job.

Article 315 of the Nicaraguan Penal Code criminalizes employment discrimination.

Articles 178 and 179 criminalize procuring and sexual exploitation, punishing anyone who exploits the prostitution of another person or benefits from it, even with the victim’s consent. The baseline penalty is eight to ten years of imprisonment. The law imposes harsher penalties of up to fifteen years if aggravating circumstances are present, such as acting for profit, using violence, or having a family relationship with or being in a position of authority over the victim.

Article 173 criminalizes incest, defined as sexual relations between persons over the age of 18 who are related either directly related (vínculo filial) or collaterally, up to the second degree of consanguinity. The offense is punishable by one to three years of imprisonment. A distinctive feature of this provision is that criminal action may be extinguished if the victim grants forgiveness, which operates as a bar to prosecution.

Ley 779, enacted in 2012 and amended in 2013, introduced stalking (acecho) and harassment (acoso) into the Penal Code as forms of psychological violence against women when committed by individuals who have or had a personal relationship with the victim. These acts are punishable by one to three years of imprisonment. The penalty increases to three to five years if the victim is a minor or if aggravating circumstances exist, such as abuse of authority or repeated conduct.

Article 494 of the Penal Code criminalizes sexual crimes committed in the context of armed conflict, whether international or internal. It explicitly covers rape, sexual slavery, sexual exploitation, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced sterilization, and other forms of sexual violence committed against persons protected under international humanitarian law.

Article 177 criminalizes the promotion of Nicaragua as a destination for sexual tourism involving minors under 18 years of age, targeting child sexual exploitation in the tourism sector. Article 182 punishes the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of persons for purposes of sexual exploitation, illegal adoption, or slavery, with penalties of seven to ten years’ imprisonment. If the victim is under 18 years of age, the penalty increases to ten to twelve years, recognizing the heightened vulnerability of children and adolescents.

Articles 143 to 145 regulate abortion in all forms. Abortion is punishable by one to three years of prison time if performed with the women's consent, and three to six years if without consent. If performed by a health professional, an additional disqualification penalty applies, which is two to five years (with consent) or four to seven years (without consent). Abortion caused by negligence carries six months to one year in prison, and the woman who consents to an abortion may be sentenced to one to two years in prison. 

Article 155 criminalizes domestic, intimate partner, and family violence, covering both physical and psychological acts committed against spouses, common-law partners, or relatives. The provision excludes cases of "legitimate parental disciplinary correction" as long as it does not amount to abuse. Sentences for this crime range from one to four years of imprisonment, along with disqualification from exercising parental authority, guardianship, or custody, where applicable.