Domestic violence is a serious issue within many Latin American societies as in other societies across the world, impacting on women’s self esteem, psychological health, and endangering themselves and their children. For many, domestic violence is seen as an unwelcome but unavoidable aspect to having the financial support of a male in the household. The underlying reasons are that traditional roles in society for females leave women with little decision-making power, money, land and assets compared to men. Men are expected to discipline women and control women’s life and sexuality, and in some countries it is considered acceptable for men to beat their wives for transgressions of their demands.

Unions are working with women members to make them realise that domestic violence is a matter for the police, that it is not a private problem. According to women organisers, “‘But if he supports me, I belong to him, if he hits me it’s because I’ve done something to deserve it’ was a common response. This is not acceptable and is slowly changing.” In Honduras, trade unions have successfully fought to introduce a new law against domestic violence and are campaigning to make women aware of the law and their rights.

Further Reading

Challenging Violence Against Women, CAWN

Interview with Iris Munguia, Coordinator of COLSIBA Women's Secretariat, News from the Banana Front, Issue 5, Banana Link, 2004