Economic and Social Costs of Violence Against Women and Girls

To understand the impacts and costs of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), the UK Department for International Development (DFID) has funded a project to investigate the social and economic costs of VAWG. Working in Pakistan, South Sudan and Ghana, the National University of Ireland, Galway with Ipsos-MORI and International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) in collaboration with in-country partners has conducted research to estimate the economic losses caused by VAWG as well as the non-economic costs of violence that impact on economic growth, development, and social stability. Three surveys were done for the collection of data: Household survey, Women and Girls survey, and Business survey. Household Survey - this survey collects data about the general household (e.g. income and property ownership) and individuals within the household. It also acts as a means for safe selection of women to take part in the women’s survey. The data collected in the household survey provides important detail on socio-economic status, occupational distribution and other factors for examining economic and social impacts of VAWG. Individual Women and Girls Survey - the women and girls survey is the most intensive of the quantitative tools, gathering data on a comprehensive set of domains. Questions in the survey explored in detail the costs associated with experiences of VAWG. Questions in the survey are designed to produce a range of scales which will facilitate deeper analysis. Business Survey - Employees, both male and female, and managers were asked to complete the business survey. For male employees, the survey covers both their experiences of violence and also their perpetration of violence. For female employees, the survey covers their experience of violence. This is in addition to the questions on absenteeism and presenteeism due to IPV