International Economic Abuse Awareness Day
Ending Economic Abuse. Advancing Rights and Economic Freedom.
November 26
ONE DAY.
One global movement.
Every November 26, the world comes together to make economic abuse visible. Economic abuse is a form of gender-based violence that undermines women’s and girls’ rights, safety and economic autonomy. Every woman and girl has the right to live free from violence and make decisions about her resources, livelihood and future.
Join communities and organizations worldwide to challenge unequal power, centre survivors’ voices and take collective action to prevent and end economic abuse.
A Global economic Justice Movement.
Action in Every Community.
Over the past few years, communities across countries have united to raise awareness, challenge economic abuse and advance women’s economic rights.
In 2026, the campaign brings together participating organizations across 48 countries to share knowledge, centre survivors’ voices and challenge the harmful practices and unequal power relations that enable economic abuse.
Respecting diverse lived experiences and local contexts, we support community-led action grounded in gender equality and survivors’ choices. Together, we work towards a world where all women and girls can access and control resources, shape their futures and live free from violence and discrimination.
UNDERSTANDING
Economic Abuse
Economic abuse happens when someone controls, restricts or exploits another person’s access to money, resources or opportunities to limit their independence. It can include:
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Cash and earnings: Taking wages or income from sales, confiscating savings or demanding permission for every purchase.
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Mobile money: Controlling someone’s phone, SIM card or PIN, taking transfers or blocking access to their digital wallet.
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Land and property: Restricting access to farmland, taking income from crops or pressuring someone to surrender property or inheritance.
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Informal work: Taking tools or stock, preventing someone from selling goods or stopping them from reaching customers and markets.
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Remittances and family support: Taking money sent by relatives or withholding funds intended for children.
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Debt: Pressuring someone to borrow from lenders, savings groups or relatives, then leaving them responsible for repayments.
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Basic needs: Withholding food, housing, medicine or transport to force compliance.
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Work and education: Blocking employment or schooling, withholding identity documents or using care responsibilities to restrict opportunities.
Understanding Economic Abuse
Economic abuse happens when someone controls, restricts or exploits another person’s access to money, resources or opportunities to limit their independence. It can include:
Cash and earnings: Taking wages or income from sales, confiscating savings or demanding permission for every purchase.
Mobile money: Controlling someone’s phone, SIM card or PIN, taking transfers or blocking access to their digital wallet.
Land and property: Restricting access to farmland, taking income from crops or pressuring someone to surrender property or inheritance. Informal work: Taking tools or stock, preventing someone from selling goods or stopping them from reaching customers and markets. Remittances and family support: Taking money sent by relatives or withholding funds intended for children. Debt: Pressuring someone to borrow from lenders, savings groups or relatives, then leaving them responsible for repayments. Basic needs: Withholding food, housing, medicine or transport to force compliance. Work and education: Blocking employment or schooling, withholding identity documents or using care responsibilities to restrict opportunities.
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Economic Abuse Across the World
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96%
of domestic abuse survivors in Canada have experienced economic abuse.
Source: CCFWE
95%
of victim-survivors in the United Kingdom supported through the Economic Justice Project reported economic abuse.
Source: Surviving Economic Abuse, 2020
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99%
of women receiving domestic violence services in the United States reported economic abuse during their relationship.
Source: Adams et al., 2008
34%
of women in Mwanza, Tanzania who had ever had a partner reported economic abuse in the past year.
Source: 2017 study
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64%
of married women in Nigeria in one study had experienced economic abuse in their current relationship.
Source: Nduka et al., 2023
43%
of women attending health care centres in Alexandria, Egypt, reported economic abuse during their marriage.
Source: 2012 study
DIGNITY, SAFETY & CHOICE
Survivors’ rights and choices are at the heart of this campaign.
We encourage participation that respects privacy, promotes accessibility and reflects local realities. No one should have to share their personal experience to take part.
Together, we can challenge stigma and create spaces where survivors are heard, respected and supported.
ADVANCING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Our campaign’s priorities align with the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1 — No Poverty: Promote access to essential resources and economic security. SDG 5 — Gender Equality: Advance women’s rights and freedom from violence and economic control. SDG 8 — Decent Work and Economic Growth: Support safe access to work and livelihoods. SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities: Address barriers to resources, services and opportunities. SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Encourage accessible justice and accountable institutions. SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen collaboration across countries and sectors. IEAAD is a CCFWE-led initiative. Alignment with the SDGs does not imply United Nations affiliation or endorsement.
Bring November 26 to Your Community
We welcome organizations, community groups, advocates, researchers and institutions committed to ending economic abuse. Join the campaign and help build a future where everyone can live with dignity, safety and economic independence.
#EconomicAbuseAwarenessDay #IEAAD #EconomicJusticeNow
LEARN MORE, GET INVOLVED
EVENTS
Connect with awareness activities, discussions and learning opportunities organized by participating communities.
TAKE ACTION
Host a conversation, share campaign materials or bring local organizations together. Every action can help make economic abuse more visible.
