Women's Economic Abuse Advocacy

Empowering Women to Break Free from Economic Abuse to Independence

Understanding Economic Abuse

Economic Abuse is a common form of violence against women statistically defined as ‘any act or behaviour which causes economic harm to an individual’. Perpetrators of economic abuse control the victim’s ability to ‘acquire, use, and maintain economic resources, threatening their economic security and potential for self-sufficiency’.

Economic abuse is a form of Gender-Based Violence, and often co-occurs with other forms of violence (physical, psychological, and sexual), coercing and controlling behaviors.

*Source: European Institute for Gender Equality. (n.d.). Economic violence, 2023.

Why Speaking Out Matters

Breaking the silence around economic abuse is crucial for several reasons:

  • Awareness Saves Lives: Many women do not even realize they are experiencing economic abuse. By speaking out, we raise awareness, helping women identify the signs and seek help.
  • Reducing Stigma: economic abuse is often shrouded in shame and secrecy. Open discussions challenge the stigma, making it easier for victims to come forward.
  • Driving Change: Public awareness is a powerful catalyst for policy change. The more we talk about economic abuse, the more likely governments and institutions are to implement protective measures and support systems.
  • Empowering Others: When women who experienced economic abuse share their stories, it inspires others to take action, either by leaving abusive situations or by supporting those who are struggling.

Forms of Gender-based Violence

physical, sexual,emotional, psychological, economic or tech abuse

Stalking and harassment

Trafficking

Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Forced marriage

Financial Abuse Knows No Borders

1 in 3

women globally have experienced economic abuse in their lifetime

50

of women who experience economic abuse reported difficulty in regaining their financial independence after leaving their abuser

95

of women who experienced economic abuse struggle to achieve financial stability, leading to reliance on abusive partners, perpetuating their economic dependence

99

of women who experience physical violence also experience economic abuse

How Does Economic Abuse affect Women?

Economic abuse doesn’t happen in isolation. It is deeply rooted in societal and systemic issues that fuel it. 

Economic abuse is little understood or recognized as a form of violence, yet it is often one of the more persistent forms of gender-based violence. Although women report experiencing economic abuse less frequently than physical, sexual, and psychological violence, economic abuse had the highest rate of occurrence.

What Economic Abuse looks like in everyday life...

It’s not just about money—it’s about power and control

Economic Control
  • Restricting access to money, necessities, financial assets, and information.
  • Controlling the amount of money you can spend or tracking their use.
  • Preventing you from obtaining bank accounts in their name or from making financial decisions.
Economic Explotation
  • Opening a line of credit in their partners’ name without consent, and or building up debt under their name.
  • Stealing or damaging a victim’s property or resources or selling them without permission.
  • Taking wages, pensions, or other forms of financial aid from a victim without permission.
Economic Sabotage
  • Preventing a victim from attending employment and educational activities or sabotaging items needed to fulfill such activities.
  • Interfering with a victim’s work or education.
  • Refusing to contribute towards childcare responsibilities.

WE AIM TO BREAK THAT CYCLE

We run 2 programs, Job Skills and Entrepreneur Bootcamp, for marginalised women between the ages of 18-55. Our courses are built taking into consideration the evolving and debilitating political, environmental and socio-economic challenges this demographic faces. In addition our courses are delivered by local women who have first hand experiences of these challenges.

Over 2,000 women have graduated from our programs

lifting more than 7,000 mothers, sisters and daughters out of cycles of extreme poverty and violence. Our model has been effective and sustainable for 14+ years. We have the expertise and a proven portfolio of programs to assist women, survivors of gender based violence, with low educational levels and work skills with tailor made, needs based, training and support to achieve financial independence.

OUR PROGRAMS

Janixa

was the victim of a machete attack by her partner.

Abandoned as a baby, Janixa grew up in an orphanage in Ciudad Sandino, Managua. She didn't finish elementary school. Age 16 she escaped to La Chureca, the community at the City dump, and began a cycle of extreme poverty. To escape this situation, she entered into a violent and controlling relationship, then, in 2017 Janixa enrolled with XtraOrdinary Women.

While on the course, she began to question her unhealthy relationship and, with the psychological support and self-esteem workshop, she managed to become independent.

Janixa got a stable employment with our partner, Serviplus, and is an exemplary single mother. We helped Janixa break her cycle of poverty and flip her odds.

DONATE TODAY

Thanks to your donations these results were possible:

We believe the right opportunity has the power to change a woman’s life, and the lives around her. We know brighter, happier, self-sustaining futures are possible for women at risk.

We are every woman’s cheerleader!

Martha is building a brighter future

Graduate 2023 | 56 years old | 3 children

Martha Blandón, a 56-year-old mother of three, turned to entrepreneurship after an unexpected accident left both her and her husband unemployed for over a year. Driven by the need for financial independence and to support her children's education, she began selling various products to sustain her family. In 2023, she participated in our Bootcamp, where she learned how to organize her business, promote her products, and connect with other entrepreneurs.

With the skills and tools gained from the Sweet Dreams program, Martha quickly put her knowledge into practice. Within two weeks, she sent dozens of cajetas to a client in Costa Rica and created a brand to represent her products. We helped Martha break her cycle of poverty and flip her odds.

Eveling now can pay for her kids school supplies

Garaduate 2023 | 3 children

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Evelying Torres, 26 years old and a mother of three, has been working since the age of 14 to support her family and now her daughter. She dropped out of school early to help by selling products and doing domestic work, but despite her efforts, she always struggled to find financial stability. Her participation in the Sweet Dreams program has given her a new opportunity to change her life.

Now, Evelying has an income that is just for her, and she is saving to pay for her daughter's education and one day have a home of her own. In her first month, she successfully got her business up and running, selling over 200 sweets. She is committed to this new venture, seeing it as a way to secure a better future for her children. Evelying dreams of expanding her business, using the skills she has gained to provide a better life for her family.

Tamara is builiding a home for her family!

Graduate 2023 | 2 children

Tamara faced many challenges, from not finishing high school to struggling to find stable employment. Living with her partner and two children, she tried various jobs, including selling perfumes and working in a free trade zone, but nothing seemed to stick. Eventually, she decided to stay home to care for her children, relying on her partner's income.

Her life took a positive turn when she joined the Sweet Dreams program. Tamara quickly embraced the opportunity, dedicating herself to making and selling traditional sweets. She’s already seeing success, with her community placing orders and recognizing the quality of her products.

cecilia-xoxo

Cecilia build a business from home

Graduate 2023 | 2 children | 49 years old

Learn More

What we do to change the reality against financial abuse

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A bit of our history

In 2009 we met a group of XtraOrdinary women living in La Chureca, Central America’s largest landfill site, and home to 2,000 of the nation’s poorest citizens. These women were stuck in cycles of poverty, and stuck on the mound of rubbish they called home. 

We decided to create a program to train them with the skills they needed to get a job and then we connected them with local employment opportunities. We left the rest up to them.

Abandoned as a baby, Janixa grew up in an orphanage in Ciudad Sandino. She didn't finish elementary school. Age 16 she escaped to La Chureca, the community at the City dump, and began a cycle of extreme poverty. To escape this situation, she entered into a violent and controlling relationship, then, in 2017 Janixa enrolled with XtraOrdinary Women.

While on the course, she began to question her unhealthy relationship and, with the psychological support and self-esteem workshop, she managed to become independent.
Now Janixa is in stable employment with our partner, Serviplus, and is an exemplary single mother. We helped Janixa break her cycle of poverty and flip her odds.

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