Structural violence is violence without a clear actor, and which is built into and inherent in the structure of a society. Its general formula is power and inequality. Structural violence is often aimed at women, and is maintained through gender socialisation, gender stereotyping and a constant threat of violence, all of which insidiously identify women as inferior, influencing their actions at all levels.
Structural violence is understood as social exploitation and unequal power (and consequently, unequal life chances), which become part of the social order. With regard to violence against women, structural inequality and the unbalance of power create the conditions for the social subordination of women.