The effects of domestic violence in girls’ education in Yucatán, México

Abstract

This paper analyses the effects of domestic violence on the educational advancement of indigenous Maya girls living in rural areas in Yucatan, southeast Mexico, during the COVID19 pandemic. This research used a variety of mixed research methods that included a quantitative methodology based on data from institutions dedicated to the promotion of women's educational rights in Mexico and the world. Additionally, a qualitative methodology was utilized through interviews and a historical review. To provide some context, in Merida alone, the capital city of the state of Yucatan located in southeast Mexico, there has been a 114% increase in cases of domestic violence since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (Robles, 2022). This, together with high rates of adolescent pregnancy and early marriage in the region, only exacerbates the effects of inequality that as a society we will have to face in the years to come. This study demonstrates the importance of implementing measures to prevent domestic violence during lockdowns that affect the educational advancement, emotional stability and physical security of women.