New Financial Education Initiative Aims To Combat Domestic Violence Through Economic Independence
A memorandum of understanding has been signed focusing on financial independence to strengthen the prevention of domestic violence.
This agreement forms part of a programme of activities during the Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, establishing a three-year partnership between the Gender-Based and Domestic Violence Commission, the Local Government Division and Bank of Valletta.
Through this agreement, the three entities will work together to deliver financial education in the community, emphasising the identification of situations that lead to financial control and dependency, which are recognised forms of domestic violence.
The memorandum was signed by Samantha Pace Gasan, Commissioner for Gender-Based and Domestic Violence; Emil Vassallo, Director General of the Local Government Division; and Simon Azzopardi, on behalf of Bank of Valletta.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms, Rebecca Buttigieg, highlighted that this financial education campaign aims to reduce economic dependency, which often underpins psychological abuse and controlling behaviour in abusive relationships.
She stated that this agreement represents the continuation of a key element of the domestic violence strategy and expressed gratitude to Bank of Valletta for its support of this campaign.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, noted that Local Councils are the closest authorities to citizens and that, through this partnership between the Gender-Based and Domestic Violence Commission and Bank of Valletta, several Local Councils will host professional training on financial literacy and independence.
“This commitment strengthens our communities and demonstrates that prevention begins at the local level,” Secretary Zerafa Civelli emphasised.
Simon Azzopardi, Chief Personal and Wealth Officer at Bank of Valletta, stated that the bank will provide free educational sessions for the public to enhance financial awareness, viewing it as a form of protection and a preventative measure against financial dependency.
He added that the upcoming training sessions, in collaboration with local councils, aim to empower individuals with confidence and independence, helping them break free from cycles of financial control if they are subjected to it.