Different Effects of Psychological and Physical Gynecological Violence Among Women in Chile at the Intersections of Indigeneity and Poverty

Abstract

Gynecological violence (GV) is a public health issue with serious consequences for the sexual and reproductive health of women and other individuals assigned female at birth. Social and behavioral science research has focused on how individuals at different axes of oppression (e.g., gender and indigeneity or socioeconomic status) experience GV. However, substantial gaps exist in the understanding of the role of interlocked systems of oppression (sexism, colonialism, and classism) in GV, and the extent to which women's privilege and oppression at different intersectional positions are associated with GV. Using secondary data from the Chilean National Survey on Health, Sexuality and Gender (N = 20,392), we explored the differential experiences of GV (including psychological, sexual, and physical) on women at the intersections of indigeneity and poverty. Results showed that these multiple systems of oppression are intertwined, and that privileged positions (high access to healthcare) protect women from GV only when combined with another privileged position (White/mestiza). As interest in this area continues to expand, our findings offer valuable insights that stress the need for an intersectional descriptive analysis to: (a) explore how GV is reinforced by sexism, and racism, and classism; and (b) inform intersectionally specific interventions to eradicate GV.