II. Intersecting Systems of Oppression and Female-Headed Households

21. Women’s exposure to violence is related to their position in the multiple systems of inequality and shows a tendency to increase as these systems intersect, creating layers of discrimination and exclusion for different groups of women. Four basic systems of inequality intersect with gender hierarchies to distinguish diverse categories of women in the Guatemalan society: class (poverty); ethnicity; urban/rural residence; and displacement. Other intervening factors such as disability and sexual orientation were brought to my attention as bases for human rights violations. Therefore, most if not all women are subjected to various forms of discrimination which places them at risk of violence.

Link to full text of the report: Mission report-SR Violence against Women-Guatemala-2005-eng