++++++++++++++
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Henry Herrera
Phone: +1-301-801-0608
Email: davia@endtodv.org
Addressing the Critical Issues Faced by Men and Boys in Guatemala
February 20, 2025 — In Guatemala, men and boys face significant challenges, such as in health, education and violence. These issues are often overlooked, highlighting the need for greater attention to build a fairer and more inclusive society.
Education
women have a higher presence in higher education. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE, 2019), women make up 53% of university students (212,150), while men represent 47% (188,063) (1). Additionally, in 2023, 50.9% of girls completed lower secondary education, compared to 48.4% of boys (2).
School dropout also affects boys more. According to the Gender-Focused Statistical Compendium 2021 by the INE, the dropout rate at the diversified level was 6.9% for boys and 5.0% for girls. This gap persists at lower education levels, reflecting the challenges boys face in staying in school, especially in contexts of poverty or rural areas (3).
Health
In Guatemala, health and mortality indicators also show significant differences between men and women, with results highlighting the particular vulnerabilities of men. In 2022, life expectancy at birth was 68.67 years, with a considerable gender gap: while women reached 71.7 years, men only lived to 65.7 years. This six-year difference reflects greater male exposure to risk factors and diseases that affect their longevity (4).
Mortality also presents significant gender differences. According to data, the male adult mortality rate was 197.12 per 1,000 adult men (5), while the female rate was 108.19 per 1,000 adult women (6).
Homicide
In Guatemala, homicide violence disproportionately affects men. According to data from the National Registry of Persons (RENAP), during the first half of 2022, there were 1,169 male homicides and 231 female homicides. This represented a 13% increase in male homicides compared to the same period in 2021, when 1,039 cases were recorded (7).
By the end of 2022, the total number of homicides reached 2,931 men and 547 women, confirming the trend that the majority of victims were male (8).
Suicide
Men represent the vast majority of suicide victims. During the first half of the year, 76% of suicides were committed by men (218 cases), while only 68 were women. These figures reflect an issue where men, despite their suffering, face greater barriers to seeking help (9).
Violence
In the context of domestic violence, while women constitute the majority of victims, men are also affected. Of every 100 cases reported in 2021, 14 involved men as victims. Many of these men suffer in silence due to social stigma, making it harder for them to seek help and access the support they need. This underreporting further exacerbates the issue, highlighting the need for greater awareness and resources to address domestic violence against men. (10)
Parenting
In Guatemala, child custody after a divorce is determined based on the best interest of the child, with no explicit preference for the gender of the parent. However, in practice, men are often at a disadvantage, as in more than 90% of cases, custody is granted solely to mothers. This pattern reflects a trend that does not favor fathers, despite many of them being capable and willing to take on parental responsibility. The lack of equality in custody allocation excludes many men from actively participating in the upbringing of their children, limiting their rights and relationship with their children after divorce (11).
Homelessness
While specific information on the homelessness rate by gender in Guatemala is limited, it is estimated that approximately 70% of the homeless population are men. This suggests that men constitute the majority of people living on the streets in the country (12).
Workplace
In Guatemala, between 2021 and October 2023, there were 2,438 workplace accidents, 59% of which affected men and 41% women. These figures indicate that men experience a higher incidence of workplace accidents (13).
Conclusion
The challenges faced by men and boys in Guatemala are part of a global issue that needs to be addressed. (14) We must take action, and by focusing on their needs, we can promote a more just and inclusive society, fostering equity and development for all.
Links:
1.https://agn.gt/mayoria-de-estudiantes-y-egresados-universitarios-son-mujeres/
3.https://www.ine.gob.gt/sistema/uploads/2021/11/30/2021113044613QDinUvuRa9GjopyXaTuNMXc3gd6Jq1Q1.pdf
4.https://datosmacro.expansion.com/demografia/esperanza-vida/guatemala
5.https://www.indexmundi.com/es/datos/guatemala/indicador/SP.DYN.AMRT.MA?utm
6.https://www.indexmundi.com/es/datos/guatemala/indicador/SP.DYN.AMRT.FE?utm_
8.https://datosmacro.expansion.com/demografia/homicidios/guatemala
11.https://www.congreso.gob.gt/assets/uploads/info_legislativo/iniciativas/Registro4530.pdf?utm
12. https://prensacomunitaria.org/2023/05/la-vida-en-las-calles/?utm