27/05/2026
For many women survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), healing is not only emotional, it is also economic. Financial dependence can keep women trapped in cycles of abuse, fear, and silence. Economic empowerment therefore becomes more than just an income-generating opportunity; it becomes a pathway to dignity, confidence, safety, and improved mental well-being.
Through women’s economic empowerment initiatives implemented by Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD), young women survivors and those at risk of GBV are supported with entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, business grants and loans, mentorship, life skills training and psychosocial support. Many of these young women begin with low self-esteem, anxiety about the future, and limited economic opportunities. However, access to skills, supportive peer networks, and sustainable livelihoods often contributes significantly to rebuilding their confidence and sense of control over their lives.
Mental health and economic empowerment are deeply interconnected. When women are able to earn an income, support their children, make independent decisions, and plan for the future, they often experience reduced stress, increased self-worth, and renewed hope. Equally important is creating safe and supportive spaces where women can share experiences, heal collectively, and realize they are not alone.
As we mark Mental Health Month, we must recognize that supporting women’s mental well-being also means addressing the economic inequalities and vulnerabilities that expose them to violence. Investing in women’s economic empowerment is therefore also an investment in healing, resilience, and lasting social change.
