“You’re worth nothing! What will you be able to do if you have never worked? I don’t have money, do what you can!” … These bawdy phrases, like many others, are the daily life of many women in their relationship. Economic violence is the manipulation of relationships and a woman who is a victim of violence through the mechanisms of control with the help of money. Limitation of this resource, full control over where expenses are used, as well as their limitation and absence, the acquisition of debt in the name of the victim, among others, are some of the examples of this type of violence.
Economic violence may go unnoticed because it does not leave such a clear mark as physical aggression, but it has alarming numbers: 13.4 million Mexican women have suffered from it at some point in their lives, that is, 29% of all women aged 15 years and older. older, according to the 2016 National Household Dynamics Survey. By 2022, of women aged 15 years and older (5.8 million), 11.4% experienced domestic violence in the last 12 months (from October 2020 . to October 2021), 1.1 percentage points higher than in 2016 (10.3%), of which 3.1% was due to economic or birth violence.
The origin of this type of violence goes back to cave times, when women stayed in caves to take care of children and the elderly, and men hunted for food. This activity has been established as a role, specifically the role of a “breadwinner” for men, making them in charge of the household.
The position of women for several decades forced them to entrust the economic part to them, adding this role to the role of caring for the family and home. Women are in a state of inequality and vulnerability as they have to assume both roles. The man begins to feel that he has no power and control over the relationship and the couple, and this causes the macho ego to try to punish the woman by leaving her without financial support, trying to force her to return to the relationship or continue to be under his yoke, putting him at a disadvantage .
Raising your voice, seeking support networks, and talking about it is the first step in finding the only right path to emotional freedom. You are not alone, and there are many women who are ready to lend you a helping hand.
FROM BRANDA BORUNDA ESPINOSA
LAW AND MASTER’S DEGREE IN THE STUDY AND PREVENTION OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA / FORMER DEPUTY OF THE FEDERAL LXVIII LEGISLATIVE COMPOSITION OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNION
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