Breaking Barrier, Cost of Gender-based violence on Development

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive and under-addressed barriers to inclusive development across Africa. Far beyond its immediate human toll, GBV imposes a substantial economic burden—draining public health resources, lowering workforce productivity, deterring investment, and perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

In this Difficult Conversation Africa podcast with Stella Din-Jacob titled “Breaking Barriers: Gender-Based Violence, Its Cost and Africa’s Economic Future” the discussion critically interrogates the intersection of violence, gender inequality, and economic performance. Drawing from empirical research, regional case studies, and expert commentary, this discourse reframes GBV as not merely a social ill but a structural impediment to Africa’s long-term economic transformation.

The episode unpacks the macroeconomic implications of GBV, quantifies its impact on national GDPs, and explores how strategic investments in prevention, survivor support systems, and gender-responsive governance can yield measurable economic dividends. It further highlights the role of businesses, policymakers, and development institutions in driving systemic change.

Ultimately, this is a call to action: to prioritize the eradication of gender-based violence not just as a moral imperative, but as a foundational pillar of Africa’s economic resilience, equity, and sustainable growth.