Violence against women and its association with education levels in Mexico

In this study, we analyze the association between education and intimate partner violence in Mexico. Using data from the country’s 2021 National Survey on the Dynamics of Household Relationships (ENDIREH 2021), we construct a violence severity index that allows us both to distinguish between types of violence and to measure their intensity. Through the application of multinomial logit models, our analysis suggests a negative association between women’s level of education and their experience of violence from a male partner, while also highlighting the significant influence of educational differences within couples on the incidence of such violence. We also find that employment interacts with educational imbalances to exacerbate vulnerabilities to violence under certain conditions, particularly when coupled with educational imbalances within relationships. Finally, we find that younger generations, particularly Millennials, face a heightened risk of severe violence. Our results underline the need to promote education strategies that focus not only on raising the education level of women but also on fostering educational equality within couples as a means to combat gender violence in Mexico and in similar contexts worldwide. • Association between education and intimate partner violence (IPV) analyzed. • Constructed a severity index to measure types and intensity of IPV. • Higher education reduces the likelihood of severe and very severe IPV. • Educational equality within couples significantly lowers the risk of IPV. • Findings highlight education’s role in IPV prevention, tailored to cultural contexts.