In Ecuador 59 out of 100 women are attacked by their partners or ex-partners, according to a study

The study included a survey of 2.501 women in their homes, 11.670 employees of large and medium-sized companies, in addition to a data review of 3.856 owners of micro-businesses.

The German Cooperation (GIZ), the San Martín de Porres University (USMP) of Peru and the Ecuadorian Government Technical Secretariat Plan Toda una Vida carried out an investigation on sexist violence and the consequences in homes, in companies, in the system of health and others that drag gender violence.

One of the main results of the research is that this violence causes the country an approximate cost equivalent to 4.28% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to the study, violence against women costs Ecuador around $ 4.608 million a year.

These losses include government expenditures, losses for the business sector, the economic impact on households and also on the entrepreneurial capacity of women.

Among the most important data reveals that 59 out of 100 women in Ecuador are attacked by their partners or ex-partners.

The study included a survey of 2.501 women in their homes, 11.670 male and female employees of large and medium-sized companies, and also a data review of 3.856 owners of microenterprises.

The national accounts and all the available data were also analyzed to determine the country costs as a consequence of sexist violence.

The study contributes “to making visible a hidden and normalized reality, as well as the imperative need to invest in its prevention” by the State and its institutions, as well as private sector entities.

As a conclusion, it is stated that it is essential to invest in policies and projects to prevent and eradicate gender violence

“Prevention is much more beneficial in the medium and long term to reduce the high costs of attending cases,” reads the note, while encouraging a “purple economy” that empowers women to be able to take the decisions about their lives.

The study is the second in the region that contains information on the costs of violence against women for the country.

The first was carried out in 2017 in Paraguay also by the Regional Program to Combat Violence against Women in Latin America. (C.D.A.)