Blog by Jennie Ferm, SI Sweden (SIE)
SI CSW70 Delegate
Event: Addressing Violence against Women and Financial Abuse in Jobs and Labor Markets
Organiser: World Bank
Date: 9 March 2026, 10:30 AM
CSW70 Side Event
Evidence increasingly shows that women’s economic participation cannot be separated from the issue of violence against women, including financial abuse. Violence against women limits access to education, employment, and participation in public life, holding back both human potential and economic growth. At the micro level it reduces women’s productivity and earnings, undermining household financial stability. At the macro level, violence against women leads to lower labor force participation, higher public expenditures, and a loss of human capital, all of which slow economic growth.
Financial Abuse as Violence Against Women
One of the most common forms of domestic violence is financial abuse. It can include coercing someone to sign financial documents, taking loans in another person’s name, controlling access to bank accounts, or misusing financial technology to cause harm. Women may technically have access to credit, employment, or financial services, yet still lack real control over resources or decision-making. In essence, access alone does not guarantee true empowerment.
According to a survey approximately 46 per cent of bank staff know someone who has experienced financial abuse, and 80 per cent believe banks could do more to protect their customers. Yet many do not know how to identify or respond to such situations. Addressing this issue is not only critical for the safety and empowerment of women, but also in the banks’ own interest, helping reduce financial and credit risks while fostering trust and responsible lending practices.
Economic Participation and Violence Against Women
Another pressing issue is violence and harassment within the workplace. If women are not safe at work, mere access to employment is insufficient. If women cannot safely access the labor market, they cannot not reach their full potential. Threats of harassment or abuse can limit women’s productivity, confidence, and career progression, undermining both individual and overall economic growth. Alarmingly, 39 countries still lack laws addressing sexual harassment in employment, leaving many women without legal protection or recourse.
The discussion is clear: Women’s economic participation cannot be separated from the issue of violence against women and preventing violence against women is essential for building inclusive, productive, and resilient labor markets. Without safety and financial autonomy women’s economic participation remains limited. Achieving true empowerment requires a holistic approach that integrates access to finance, legal protections, education, shifts in social norms, and safe workplace environments.
