Myths and beliefs about violence against rural women in the municipality of Aquitania-Boyacá, Colombia Mitos y creencias acerca de la violencia contra las mujeres rurales

Abstract

Objective: To interpret the myths and beliefs about violence against women in a group of women from the rural area of the municipality of Aquitania-Boyacá. Materials and methods: Qualitative study with microethnographic method. The selection of the 12 participants was made once the researcher was immersed in the social context and taking into account the principle of relevance. The collection of information was carried out in 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, through participant observation, in-depth interviews and field notes, for which the approval of the community was obtained. endorsement of the ethics committee and signing of the informed consent. For the analysis of the theoretical data, the Corbin and Strauss categorization technique was followed. Results: five categories were established: legitimizing violence, experiencing abuse, role of the family, taking measures to mitigate abuse and beginning to live a new life, the first three categories symbolize myths and the last two represent beliefs. These conceptual elements made it possible to explain violence against women as a repetitive, permitted and normalized phenomenon, but in extreme situations where life is at risk, the woman denounces or leaves the home. Conclusions: Violence against women is determined by cultural, social and economic factors, it is exercised mainly by the spouse and/or parents and generates psychosocial and physical problems in women.