Economic violence toward women occurs when a male abuser maintains control of the family finances, deciding without regard to women how the money is to be spent or saved, thereby reducing women to complete dependence for money to meet their personal needs. It may involve putting women on a strict allowance or forcing them to beg for money. This abuse is magnified when women are prevented from developing their own sources of income by restricting them from employment and education that would improve their vocational opportunities. In some countries, traditional laws on inheritance, property rights, and the use of communal land discriminate against women, placing them at a financial disadvantage compared to men. Women who do work often receive unequal pay for work done equal in value to that of men, and they are used for unpaid work outside the employment contract. Women have been victimized by fraud and theft, the illegal confiscation of goods for sale, and the unlawful closing of work sites. Such economic violence results in increased poverty for women and can lead to physical violence, sexual exploitation, the risk of contracting HIV, maternal morbidity and mortality, and trafficking of women and girls. Economic abuse may continue even after women have left the abusive relationship. In addressing economic violence against women and girls, multi-pronged strategies are needed in promoting equity of financial opportunities for women and men and in reforming cultural and legal traditions that permit gender-based economic exploitation. 77 references