Housing, a key factor in preventing gender-based violence

San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

As part of its commitment to improve the living conditions of Honduran families, Habitat for Humanity Honduras (HPHH), in collaboration with Banco del País (Banpaís), held a press conference on Thursday, March 13 with the theme: “Housing, a key factor in preventing gender-based violence”.

During the event, the importance of guaranteeing access to decent housing as a fundamental element for the security and well-being of women in Honduras was addressed. It was emphasized that adequate housing not only represents a safe roof over their heads, but is also an essential tool for economic autonomy and the protection of women’s rights.

Social and economic context

According to data presented at the conference, taken from the HPHH report “Situation of Women in Honduras”, women constitute 53.3% of the population, of which more than half (56.7%) reside in urban areas and the rest (43.3%) in rural areas. However, despite being a demographic majority, they face significant barriers in accessing employment, education and housing opportunities.

So much so that 54.6% of the working-age population is made up of women; yet, female unemployment reaches 12.9% nationwide, being most pronounced in urban areas at 14.2% (Central District with 19% and San Pedro Sula with 11.8%), while in rural areas, the female unemployment rate is 10.1%.

This is especially alarming considering that 38.2% of households in Honduras are headed by women, meaning that many women are the primary providers for their families. Despite this, their vulnerability is exacerbated by the lack of access to education, as illiteracy among women reaches 17.1% in rural areas and 7.2% in urban areas. Furthermore, while young women between the ages of 25 and 29 have an average of 9.4 years of schooling, those aged 60 and older only have 5.9 years of schooling.

Housing Conditions and Their Impact on Women

Martha Guillén, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Honduras, emphasized that precarious housing conditions “directly impact women’s quality of life, especially with regard to the burden of unpaid domestic work, which falls primarily on them.” Housing without access to drinking water or with deficient infrastructure, she asserted, “forces women to invest more time in tasks such as collecting water, cleaning, and caring for the family, limiting their educational and employment opportunities.”

Overcrowding is another critical factor, since, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) report published in 2024 and entitled “Housing and Habitability Conditions in Honduras,” 34.7% of Honduran households have high occupancy density, which generates stress, family tensions, and increases the risk of gender-based violence. Furthermore, the use of solid fuels such as firewood for cooking, prevalent in 64.5% of rural households according to the Multiple Purpose Household Survey, affects the health of women and children due to prolonged exposure to smoke, increasing respiratory illnesses and reducing their overall well-being.

Decent Housing: A Comprehensive Solution

In this regard, it was emphasized that access to adequate housing can be a determining factor in reducing gender-based violence, providing women with a safe and stable space where they can fully develop. Women in vulnerable situations, especially those who are heads of households, face greater risks of violence when they lack their own homes or live in precarious conditions.

In response to this problem, Habitat for Humanity Honduras has prioritized the implementation of affordable housing programs for women, with the goal of improving their living conditions and promoting their economic independence. Through strategic alliances and housing construction and improvement projects, the organization seeks to provide sustainable housing solutions that contribute to eradicating poverty and violence against women in Honduras.

With these actions, HPHH reaffirms its commitment to working for a more just and inclusive society, where all women can live in a safe and dignified home.