Breaking Cycles of Violence against Young Women in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Through educational strategies, this project aims to interrupt violent and unstable family dynamics that often lead to deeper forms of structural violence. Violence against women in Honduras, particularly femicide, continues to rise. Research shows that fragmented and uncoordinated government responses have not significantly reduced violence, especially among young women living in poverty and social exclusion.

 

Over the last two decades, Honduras has experienced rising social violence, limited progress in poverty reduction, and setbacks in addressing social inequality. It remains one of the most unequal and violent countries in the region. Although domestic violence is now recognized as a public health concern, it often remains hidden, as many cases are minimized due to social norms, myths, and patriarchal beliefs that treat violence as a private family matter.

 

Recent statistics reflect the severity of the problem, as the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Honduras received 14,414 complaints of domestic and intrafamily violence while the National Emergency System 911 documented 57,473 complaints between January 2022 and September 2023. These high rates of domestic violence also mean Honduras has the highest femicide rate in the Latin American region, with over 240 women murdered in 2021, and 317 femicides from January through September 2023. The pandemic further intensified violence against women, with emergency calls increasing to 282 per day.

 

This project, in partnership with organizations SAN and the education center Reyes Irene Valenzuela, responds directly to this urgent situation. The project seeks to strengthen non-violent family relationships, promote respect and gender equity, and build resilience within households. This can only be achieved through education, helping families learn new ways to communicate, resolve conflicts, and break cycles of violence.

Reyes Irene Valenzuela, a school for women, will be responsible for project implementation. As most participants in this project are currently employed as domestic workers, Reyes Irene Valenzuela prioritizes flexibility, running classes for these women on weekends, and educational programming over the radio during the week. With the primary goal of increasing livelihoods, Reyes Irene runs courses including English, computer science, and various trades, supporting women in finding alternative employment opportunities. They are also focused on human development and reducing forms of violence, with counselling offered for women and their families, health classes, and workshops on emotional intelligence.

 

This project will support women in accessing formal education, job skills training, health and legal support, and family education. The project will work with both young women and their families to strengthen economic independence, promote positive parenting, and prevent domestic violence. The project is designed to reverse negative trends of violence, fostering positive conflict management, equitable relationships, and non-violent family dynamics. This will be done through: