Resumen de Living environments: Gender violence in the Peruvian highlands

Edgard Fernando Pacheco Luza, Rina María Álvarez Becerra, Ángel Eduardo Acevedo Duque, Gladys Inés Bustamante Cabrera

• This research addresses the concerning living conditions of indigenous women and girls in the Peruvian highlands, who face situations of violence and discrimination that contradict the United Nations Agenda's Goal 3 (Health and Well-being). The main objective was to analyze the perceptions of indigenous women (Aymara and Quechua) who are victims of intimate partner violence regarding the barriers to seeking formal institutional help. A qualitative methodology based on grounded theory was employed, with a reflexive thematic analysis design. Seventeen interviews were conducted with women aged 22 to 60 who met the criteria of having experienced intimate partner violence and self-identifying as Aymara or Quechua. Key findings include self-silencing behaviors, fear of the aggressor’s reaction and the consequences of seeking help, as well as the minimization and justification of the violence, which perpetuate the abuse. Additionally, a cultural stigma was identified that questions women’s rights over their traditional gender roles, thus hindering their well-being and safety. Social barriers at multiple levels further prevent these women from seeking formal help, reinforcing the cycle of violence.