Financial insecurity is a leading reason women stay in abusive relationships. However, W O M E N are helping W O M E N !

Surprisingly, South Asian women who are highly educated and well placed in society may also face financial and domestic abuse – they are as vulnerable and maltreated as women survivors who do not work outside the home or get a paycheck.

Without financial security, despite their professional status, even these women lose the spirit and strength to break free and seek recourse.

Financial security is absolutely fundamental to achieving gender parity. And this approach is now the thrust of most women’s empowerment programs being run by governments, social service organizations and corporate funders the world over.

A great outcome is serious talk and training focused on financial and business literacy for women – much of it by women!

“Invest in women!”

How can women find the means to leave an abusive relationship?

Joy McBrien, a survivor of sexual violence herself, found the answer on a trip to Peru. Inspired by Anita, a Peruvian social worker, Joy launched a business turning impoverished women, many of them survivors of domestic violence, into artisans. Creations of 8000 artisans from 9 countries are now sold to a worldwide market and 30 – 60% of the returns go home to fuel their hearths and give them financial independence.

Such business models are being encouraged as “Invest in Women” becomes a mantra among financial institutions. It is almost universally acknowledged that investing in women is good for society. Women are generally better at paying back loans and they invest a substantial portion of their earnings back into their families leading to better child nutrition and health. Women form the bedrock of society peace and stability, and much, much more!

Women believing in women…

Positive things happen when women believe in women, ripple effects cut across all cultural and other boundaries. Countless marketplace initiatives like We Are Women Owned in the US, or Sheroes in India, or PakistanCreates in Pakistan are giving the thumbs up to hard working women who could not envision a bright tomorrow. Opting to buy from these women-owned enterprises and supporting women entrepreneurs can help bring ripples of change.

Above all, BELIEVING IN WOMEN is a confidence building program we all need to embed into our everyday lives! Telling the next person, friend, colleague, stranger, relative, mother, sister, daughter, as the need arises: “You are capable. You have skills. You can learn. You can understand money. You can plan your future. Trust yourself as I trust you.”

Financial literacy starts at home

Monitor financial health by having direct access to the family’s bank accounts, joint or individual accounts
Keep an eye on the family’s monthly income, expenses and other monetary commitments
Keep track of the family debts – mortgages, credit cards, etc.
Be aware of family assets such as equity and savings
Join an online financial course to understand basic finance management