About this episode

This episode discusses the economic implications of gender-based violence and features conversations with various experts and advocates.

In the media, gender-based violence is often considered a sexism or cultural problem. But what if it were viewed as an economic issue?  In the newest season of the Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women, we talk to thought leaders around the world about what works to reduce gender-based violence.  GBV not only affects nearly 1 in 3 women in their lifetime; It is also a huge drain on the economy. UN Women estimates that GBV costs countries about $1.5 trillion per year, or approximately 2% of global GDP. But greater financial security and autonomy can help protect women from violence.  We begin with a conversation between host Reena Ninan and Sonya Passi, founder and CEO of FreeFrom, a U.S. nonprofit working to end gender-based violence. Passi believes the main challenge for survivors is economic insecurity. Because of this, her organization focuses on directly empowering survivors economically. Then, reporter Elna Schütz travels to a very special clothing store from Mosaic Training Service and Healing Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women is a podcast from Foreign Policy, supported this season by the Ford Foundation. Guests…

People in this episode

Host: Reena Ninan

Guests: Sonya Passi, Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan, Rozita, Dr. Deidre Pretorius, Nonnie

Topics covered

• gender-based violence
• economic issues
• financial security
• empowerment
• nonprofit work
• cultural problems

Keywords

• gender-based violence
• economic insecurity
• empowerment
• nonprofit
• UN Women
• Ford Foundation
• Cape Town
• Mosaic Training Service

Sponsors

Ford Foundation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FreeFrom, Mosaic Training Service and Healing Centre, UN Women

More episodes of The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO)

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• Lion Queens · March 11, 2026 · 27 min
• The Future of the Climate Movement · March 4, 2026 · 32 min
• Coming Soon: Season 9 · February 25, 2026 · 3 min
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