Failure to provide child support as economic violence in Ecuadorian law: a legal analysis (Review)

Abstract

Failure to provide child support in Ecuador emerges as a form of economic violence directed at women and children, perpetuating social and economic inequality. This not only infringes upon fundamental rights but also reflects a manifestation of economic control and domination. Furthermore, Ecuadorian law recognizes the right to food as an essential human right, encompassing needs such as education, health, and housing. Failure to fulfill this obligation by parents who do not have custody or guardianship of their children constitutes a violation of this right and can be considered a form of economic violence. Therefore, this article aims to analyze the failure to fulfill the child support obligation as a form of economic violence under Ecuadorian law. To this end, a combined methodological approach of a descriptive qualitative nature was used, supported by legal hermeneutics and statistical methods. This allowed the conclusion that the consequences of this violence produce catastrophic effects, evidenced in the physical and mental health of the victims, thus prolonging cycles of poverty, dependency, and social exclusion.