Recorded presentation

Jennifer Lynn Catino, MPH, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Population Council, Panzacola No. 62, Interior 1, Colonia Villa Coyoacan, Mexico City, 04000, Mexico, 52 55 5999 8656, jcatino@popcouncil.org.mx and Marta Julia Ruiz, MD, Guatemala Office, Population Council, 4a Ave. 6-74 Casa 2, Zona 14, Col. El Campo, Guatemala City, Guatemala.

While there is an abundance of anecdotal evidence, little hard data are available to describe the problem of domestic violence among indigenous women in Guatemala. We undertook a qualitative study of domestic violence to understand its manifestations, causes, consequences and how to respond through public health interventions. A cross-sectional design and qualitative methods were used: 4 focus groups with married men and 4 with married women ages 20-35; 10 in-depth interviews with female domestic violence survivors; 8 key informant interviews with community leaders and 6 with health and social service providers. Fieldwork was conducted in Quetzaltenango during July-September 2003 by a local bilingual (Spanish/Mam) research team. Research revealed the pervasiveness of traditional gender roles in Mayan communities: men are perceived as head of the household, chief family decision maker and controller of resources. Women have little autonomy and perceive themselves as subordinate to their spouses and other men. Labor is divided such that men work out of the home for pay and are expected to provide material family essentials, while women are responsible for all domestic duties and childrearing. In most cases, women are also involved in agricultural labor and/or other wage-earning activity. It was noted by women and men alike that women work twice as much (a doble carga) as men. Experiences of violence were widely cited by women. Men were less likely to acknowledge the prevalence of violence, although some did identify it as a problem. Failure of women to successfully complete their domestic tasks (or cumplir), having too many or not enough children, perceptions of infidelity or jealousy were all cited as motives for violence against women. Alcohol abuse by men was an important factor linked to domestic violence. Patterns of failed non-violent conflict resolution were evident: couples have few mechanisms for resolving domestic problems outside of psychological, verbal or physical abuse. Indigenous female victims are often socially isolated and lack information and resources for seeking help. Results indicate the need for simultaneous interventions at the regional/departmental level (such as a radio awareness campaign); the community level (household outreach and service referral); family level (couples’ counseling and skill building around non-violent conflict resolution).

Learning Objectives:

• 1). Understand the national context of domestic violence in Guatemala and its relationship to a history of armed civil conflict, particularly among indigenous women;
• 2). Identify the types, causes and consequences of domestic violence among indigenous families in Guatemala;
• 3), Define evidence-based, culturally appropriate, financially sustainable responses to domestic violence at the community level.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Indigenous Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation