A Triangle of Vulnerability and Inequality

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The relationship between sexual and reproductive health, care burdens, and gender-based violence forms a structural system that perpetuates inequality and limits women's autonomy in Venezuela. The denial of essential rights, the unequal distribution of care responsibilities, and economic dependence create a fertile ground for violence, preventing women from leaving abusive relationships and limiting their ability to make decisions about their health and lives. 

A study by the Venezuelan Association for Alternative Sexual Education (AVESA) reveals alarming data on the connection between access to sexual and reproductive health services and gender-based violence. Among women who have survived violence, 61% have little to no access to sexual and reproductive health services, compared to 43% of women who have not experienced violence. Additionally, 80% of women attend a gynecological consultation only once a year or never, despite 7 out of 10 having faced some gynecological condition. A striking 57% of pregnancies were unplanned, limiting reproductive autonomy and increasing women's dependence on their partners. Moreover, 32% of sexually active women do not use contraceptive methods, even though 87% of them do not wish to have children. In states like Lara, unmet contraceptive needs reach as high as 46%. 

The lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services not only restricts women’s ability to exercise control over their bodies and lives but also exposes them to a greater risk of gender-based violence. While 58% of women have suffered some form of gender-based violence, 79% of them do not recognize themselves as survivors, highlighting the normalization of violence in society. Access to sexual and reproductive health information and services is, therefore, a crucial tool for preventing violence and strengthening women's autonomy. 

However, the burden of unpaid care work reinforces these patterns of inequality and violence. AVESA’s research in vulnerable communities in Táchira and Zulia shows that women spend between 14 and 16 hours a day on unpaid care tasks, including house cleaning, food preparation, childcare, and caring for sick or elderly family members. Furthermore, 75% of these women also work outside the home, extending their daily workload to 18 hours or more. Economic dependence is also a key factor: 68.5% of married or cohabiting women depend financially on their male partners, while 10% of divorced women still rely on their ex-partners for financial support. This overwhelming burden not only limits women's time and energy to seek help or generate their own income but also reduces their ability to leave violent relationships. 

The intersection of health, care, and violence creates a vicious cycle that is difficult to break. Women with less access to gynecological and contraceptive services are 22% more likely to experience gender-based violence. However, those who participate in care-sharing programs and have greater access to comprehensive sexual education report 17% fewer cases of violence in their lives. In communities where care redistribution programs have been implemented, women report significant improvements in their quality of life: more time for self-care, greater participation in economic activities, reduced stress and fatigue, and increased ability to recognize and respond to violence. 

To address this issue comprehensively, concrete measures must be implemented to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services and promote the redistribution of care work. Expanding access to contraception, family planning, and gynecological care is urgent, as is implementing comprehensive sexual education programs in schools and communities. Additionally, public policies that promote shared caregiving responsibilities must be established so that domestic and dependent care work does not fall exclusively on women. Gender-based violence will not be solved solely through protection measures and support for survivors; a structural transformation is essential to guarantee women autonomy over their health, time, and economic security.