Economic and Social Empowerment (EA$E) to Reduce Intimate Partner Violence 

EA$E is a unique evidence-based approach to addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender equity in settings affected by war and forced displacement by utilizing a household-centered financial lens. The theoretical underpinning of EA$E is that if women have access to financial services, increased and diversified sources of income, and job and career opportunities, and if men respect women and see them as valuable members of the household, then women will have more equitable relationships with their partners and will experience an increase in participation in household decision making and a decrease in intimate partner violence.

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Developed with over four years of research by the International Rescue Committee, EA$E invites couples who are engaged in economic empowerment activities to join EA$E Discussion Groups Series. The eight session discussion group series facilitates dialogue about attitudes and beliefs related to household financial well-being, budgeting, and communication and negotiation skills. Themes related to gender equity, gender roles and violence are woven throughout sessions with an emphasis placed upon valuing women’s significant contributions to the household, and engaging men to seek positive methods for affirming both women’s and men’s roles and resolving conflict. 

 

With funding from the World Bank, Dr. Gupta partnered with IRC in leading a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of adding gender dialogue groups to ongoing VSLAs on IPV, gender equity, and mental health. 

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The trial showed reductions in economic and physical IPV, but not sexual IPV. The intervention also showed improvements in mental health symptoms and more gender equitable attitudes.