"Which violence happened first?"

Eman no longer remembers this as she poses to herself the question: How and when did she become a victim of violence?

An interconnected series of types and forms of violence that you are a victim of;

Between verbal, emotional and physical at times, but most probably economic violence was first.

The response jumped to her head and she realized in a revealing moment that economic violence came first, undermining her will, paralyzing her movement and preventing her from fleeing, until she succumbed to a life worse than death.

Economic violence is calm and effective

Fifteen years ago, Iman graduated from the Faculty of Commerce at Cairo University, and joined an administrative position in a government institution, with the help of her mother, an employee of the same institution.

She received her salary for the first time at the age of 21, which gave her a feeling of independence, and yet she followed in her mother's footsteps, as she did not choose that specific job for her, randomly.

Her mother used to arrange her life for her, to become a wife, mother and a worker with her own income, there is nothing better than that government job;

5 hours, then she returns home early to prepare food and perform her other duties without shortening.

After a few months of the job, Iman and her family celebrated their engagement, and only a few more months passed, until al-Khatib put great pressure on her to leave her job under the pretext that he was jealous of her.

"Economic violence occurred first, and all other forms of violence were dragged behind it." This is what Iman settled upon after some reflection. A study conducted by the Financial Security Research Center agrees with it, finding that 99% of domestic violence cases also included financial abuse, and more than that. Financial abuse is often the first sign of domestic violence.

Economic abuse does not depend on physical proximity so it can persist after separation (pixels)

What is economic violence?

It is controlling the victim's ability to acquire financial resources, preventing her from working, or stealing those resources from her, and when she has money, she is pressured to account for every penny she spends, according to "Very well mind".

"We got married 13 years ago, and he did not give me a penny in my hand. He is the one controlling all household expenses, even the financial gifts for children in childbirth or birthdays is the one who takes them," Eman says. "When I ask to buy clothes for me, he tells me that there are priorities, then I am surprised that Those priorities are buying a new TV or clothes for him or for the children, and I am always on top of it. "

Forms of economic violence

Most of the victims of economic exploitation are women, and it takes many forms, the most prominent of which are according to the British "Surviving Economic Abuse" (SEA):

Preventing enrollment in education or work, limiting the victim's working hours, forfeiting salary, taking children's savings or Christmas money, refusing to allow the creation of a bank account, or restricting how money and economic resources are used.

The attacker also exerts pressure to:

Controlling when and how money is spent, determining what can be bought, verifying purchase receipts, or intimidating to justify every purchase, or controlling the use of property, such as a mobile phone or car, and insisting on registering all assets in his name.

Eman feels that she has been trapped for 13 years, in that relationship without resources, and she cannot see a way out. Therefore, he used to scold me for no reason, and he pulled my private phone more than once under the pretext that he was the one who bought it, and hit me a few times.Our relationship is not the same as that of my mother and father. I have a shelter, no work, no money, no chance to survive. "

The working woman is also a victim

Economic violence is not exerted only on women who are not working

Faia is no better off than Iman, even though she has been a university professor for 18 years and married to a doctor.

Alia tells Al-Jazeera Net that "since the first year of our marriage, he used to get all my salary and give me nothing but crumbs, and control the exchange."

Alia confirms that he acquires all the assets in his name, even the car that she drives is registered in his name, and refuses to write anything to her, despite taking her salary. To his relatives, Eidiya, and I was crying because of the situation, but he did not care and considered it normal. "

Economic violence is as dangerous as other forms of violence to which women are subjected (Pixels)

Why must economic violence be faced?

Alia does not like divorce even though she has thought a lot about it.

"I have been working for 18 years, and I do not have anything. If the divorce occurs, I will only have my salary, and I know very well that it will not be spent on the children, then my salary will have no value, schools, food and clothes will not suffice for me and my children.

Despite Alia's exclusion of the idea of ​​divorce, and despite the fact that Iman fell into the trap of that relationship;

Womensaid stresses that it is important to address the financial abuse, as:

Barrier to Departure:

Lack of access to economic resources is a reason many women feel they have no choice but to stay with their abuser.


Increased risk to the survivor:

Economic barriers to leaving can result in a woman staying with an abusive man longer and putting her at greater risk.


A hindrance to an independent life

: Economic abuse does not depend on physical proximity, so it can continue after the separation, and often leave women in debt, and financial insecurity affects their ability to rebuild their lives after leaving.

Therefore, financial violence must be confronted, and dealt with as it is no less dangerous than other forms of violence to which women are exposed, but rather it can be an indicator of other forms of violence.

Women can resort to:

The safe circle of family and friends, or similar online support groups, or women's support organizations against violence specialized in solving marital problems.