The gender wage gap and domestic violence against women: evidence from Peru

Abstract

In Peru, 68% of women have reported being the victim of partner violence, at some point in their lives. However, very little is known about the economic determinants of domestic violence. The present study is intended to analyze the relationship between the gender wage gap and domestic violence in Peru. We understand that the gap is a characteristic of the market that places women at a disadvantage compared to men. Data from the National Household Survey enables the calculation of this wage gap. This information, combined with the violence report from the Demographic and Health Survey, is used in the regression analyses. We find that wide wage gaps are associated with higher incidences of physical and emotional violence. This result also extends to women who are not gainfully employed. These women benefit from greater equality in the labor market that provides them with better potential income, which would increase their bargaining power within the home.