Economic abuse and food insecurity among women living with HIV in Ghana

Economic abuse has recently gained recognition as a distinct form of intimate partner violence in sub-Saharan Africa, with women disproportionately affected. However, limited research has explored its consequences, particularly its impact on food insecurity among women living with HIV, who face compounded vulnerabilities due to stigma, poverty, and health challenges. This study addressed this gap by conducting 39 in-depth interviews with women living with HIV in Ghana who had experienced economic abuse, to understand how this abuse influenced their experiences of food insecurity. Using inductive thematic analysis, we identified critical connections between economic abuse and food insecurity. Participants shared narratives of financial withholding, income sabotage, and coercive control that prevented them from meeting their food needs and those of their children. Many described experiences of self-sacrifice, hunger, and dependence on kinship or religious networks as coping mechanisms. Addressing economic abuse requires stronger legal protections, increased public awareness, and tailored support for women living with HIV.