Gender-Based Violence Poses a Silent Threat to Public Health and Economic Stability

Fadekemi Ajakaiye 

Gender-based violence (GBV) is emerging as a significant public health crisis with far-reaching implications for economic stability, experts warn. While awareness around GBV has increased globally, the long-term health and financial consequences for survivors remain widely overlooked.

According to Diana Oboite, a gender advocate and researcher, failing to recognize GBV as a public health emergency is a costly oversight. She points to research linking intimate partner violence to chronic illnesses, reproductive health complications, and long-term psychological trauma.

“The effects of gender-based violence extend far beyond immediate harm,” Oboite said. “Survivors face lasting trauma that impacts their health, job security, and financial independence. If we do not approach this crisis from a public health perspective, we are only deepening its impact.”

Findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that survivors of GBV are at a higher risk of developing conditions such as cardiovascular disease and depression. The economic toll is also significant, with estimates suggesting that intimate partner violence alone costs the U.S. economy over $3.6 trillion annually in medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced productivity.

Oboite, who works with Joyful Women and Children Development Foundation and Women Without Borders International, has been advocating for stronger integration of GBV prevention into national health policies. She argues that healthcare systems must move beyond treating physical injuries to identifying survivors early, providing trauma-informed care, and establishing referral pathways for long-term recovery.

“Hospitals and clinics are often the first point of contact for survivors, yet many healthcare providers lack the training to recognize abuse or offer the necessary support,” she said. “Without an integrated approach, survivors will continue to fall through the cracks.”

Her research also highlights the economic impact of GBV, particularly in the workplace. Studies suggest that women experiencing intimate partner violence are more likely to lose their jobs or leave the workforce due to ongoing abuse.

“Many survivors remain in abusive relationships because they lack financial security,” she noted. “If employers implement survivor support policies—such as flexible work schedules, trauma counseling, and legal aid—more women will have the means to escape cycles of abuse.”

Beyond policy reforms, Oboite is leveraging technology to create survivor-centered solutions. She has been involved in initiatives that use AI-driven data collection to track GBV cases and develop more responsive intervention models.

“Technology allows us to monitor trends, connect survivors with support services, and predict high-risk scenarios before they escalate,” she explained. “If we use data effectively, we can transform how GBV cases are handled and ensure real-time assistance.”

Her advocacy aligns with global strategies, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 5: Gender Equality), as well as national efforts to reduce GBV-related healthcare costs. However, she stresses that policy commitments must lead to concrete action.

“If we continue to treat GBV as an issue that only affects individuals, we will never fully address its impact,” she said. “Governments must recognize that preventing GBV is not just about human rights—it is about protecting national health systems and economic stability.”

As discussions around GBV evolve, advocates like Oboite are pushing for policy-driven, health-based approaches that reflect the full scope of the crisis. With the right investments in prevention, healthcare integration, and survivor protection, she believes that both lives and economies can be safeguarded.