Financing the Reduction of Gender-based Violence

Traditional finance has largely failed to recognize the hidden risks and economic consequences of gender-based violence (GBV), treating it as a social issue rather than a material financial risk. As a result, investment decisions are shaped by risk analysis, return expectations, and financial structures that overlook the systemic ways GBV affects economies, businesses, and financial markets. The economic costs of GBV—such as lost productivity, legal liabilities, reputational damage, and reduced workforce participation—are often ignored in financial risk assessments.

This session directly aligns with the Future of Global Finance track by challenging the fundamental assumptions in financial risk assessment and investment strategy. To effectively integrate GBV into financial decision-making, finance must shift its perspective from seeing GBV as an external social concern to recognizing it as a critical financial and market risk. This requires a paradigm shift in risk assessment, investment strategy, and policy frameworks to ensure capital is mobilized toward businesses, products, and markets that actively prevent GBV and promote long-term economic stability. By embedding GBV considerations into financial metrics, capital structures, and governance mechanisms, investors and financial institutions can drive systemic change that both mitigates risks and enhances long-term returns.

Participants will engage in an interactive session that combines real-world case studies, and small group discussions to explore the financial risks and systemic impacts of gender-based violence (GBV). Through facilitated dialogue and collaborative analysis, attendees will uncover how GBV intersects with investment decision-making, corporate accountability, and economic stability. Together, we will reimagine financial models that integrate GBV prevention into risk assessments, capital flows, and portfolio strategies, ensuring finance becomes a catalyst for safety, equity, and resilience.

1. Set up (10 minutes)
• Set up presentation
• Set up case studies and materials on tables

2. Introduction (10 minutes)
• Welcome and session objectives
• Brief overview of intersection of finance and GBV
• Introduce key concepts

3. Small Group Discussions (25 minutes)
• Participants review the case studies
• Participants encouraged to extract examples from their experience.

4. Collective Synthesis (15 minutes)
• Groups share key insights from discussions
• Document emerging strategies

5. Closing (15 minutes)
• Summarize key learnings
• Preview follow-up resources
• Informal networking/ exchanges among participants