Experiences about educational inequality faced by Totonac women

Abstract

Discrimination and violence against Totonac women are the result of a structural problem of gender stereotypes and social practices, which affect the full development of their lives, as well as their freedom, human dignity and fundamental rights. The aim of this article is to analyze the educational inequality experienced by Totonac women through the behaviors of discrimination and violence originated by the men, families and communities of the region. The methodology was of a qualitative type, through the documentary technique and participant observation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with female students belonging to the Totonac culture of the Intercultural University of the State of Puebla. The analysis categories applied are Totonac women, educational inequality, discrimination, violence, and the right to education. Among our results, we observed that in the region of Totonacapan, discrimination and violence against women are normalized. However, the Intercultural University of the State of Puebla not only guarantees a socio-culturally relevant higher education in the region but also contributes to reducing the educational inequality faced by Totonac women in favor of their dignity, development and well-being in society and in the country.