Contribution of Municipality-level Socio-Economic and Cultural Factors on Violence against Women in Colombia: Does Geographic Setting Matter?

Abstract

In this study, we explored potential associations of socio-cultural and economic factors with the level of violence against women using a municipality level panel data set from Colombia from 2006 to 2014. We found lower education, violent environments, and higher child born rates to be associated with a higher risk of violence toward the woman. We also discovered through a spatial econometric analysis that geographic setting and cultural patterns matter in the intensification of gender-biased violence in Colombia. Finally, through a discussion between the results obtained and some qualitative approaches, we presented a transition proposal from patriarchal behaviors to the empowerment of women by the generation of community processes of popular education, social pedagogy, and female participation in the formulation of public policies, because as we detected, and as other studies have shown, education is a fundamental factor for the reduction of gender violence, causing positive impacts on homes, childcare and their environments.