Unveiling patriarchy: a systematic review of economic violence against women

Globally, women are subjected not only to physical and sexual violence but also to economic violence, an insidious and frequently overlooked form of abuse. Economic violence manifests through the control of women’s income, restrictions on access to education or employment, and the denial of property ownership or inheritance rights. Beyond its financial implications, this form of violence embodies entrenched systems of power, control, and patriarchal inequality. This literature review examines how patriarchal structures sustain economic violence against women across diverse cultural and regional contexts. It synthesizes evidence from 42 peer-reviewed studies published between 2001 and 2024 to explore the forms of economic violence, how intersecting identities influence vulnerability, and which interventions show promise in disrupting this abuse. A comprehensive search across Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies were screened using pre-defined inclusion criteria. A thematic synthesis approach was employed to analyze patterns and contextualize findings. Three recurrent forms of economic violence were identified: (1) direct financial control, such as withholding money or bank access (2), economic isolation, such as preventing work or education, and (3) structural exclusion, such as discriminatory inheritance laws. These practices were reinforced by cultural norms portraying men as providers and women as dependents. Women facing multiple forms of marginalization, such as migrants, ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities, experienced compounded risks. While some empowerment programs showed impact, those that failed to address gendered power dynamics often triggered backlash. Economic violence is not incidental; it is systemic and rooted in patriarchal norms and institutions. Addressing it requires more than financial interventions; it demands transformative, intersectional approaches that center women’s autonomy, justice, and dignity.