Latest news with #economicstress
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Auto Tariffs Stoke Layoff Angst in Canada's Once-Proud Motor City
An hour from Toronto, downtown Oshawa seems to exude the vibe of a pleasant small town. But signs of economic stress are multiplying in the place that once fashioned itself as Canada's motor city. Lines form early outside the food bank on Simcoe Street where customers load strollers with pasta and bags of bread. Homeless encampments dot the river trail. Inside local food joints like Ciao Amici, a lunch stop serving Italian specialties, conversations drift toward layoffs. On that front, there's a lot to talk about.
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Why GBV in South Africa is an economic issue?
South Africa will soon be celebrating the invaluable contribution women have made in driving the country forward. However, the intersection of financial strain and domestic abuse is a crisis that demands urgent attention. Research consistently shows that economic hardship exacerbates violence against women, particularly within marriages and partnerships. But why are women disproportionately affected, and what does this mean for South Africa, where unemployment has surged past 32%, with another 250,000 jobs lost in the first quarter of 2024 alone? The link between economic stress and domestic violence Economic stress is a well-documented trigger for domestic violence. Studies from around the world, including South Africa, indicate that financial instability increases tensions in households, leading to higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV). The reasons are multifaceted: - Loss of income and unemployment heighten frustration and aggression, particularly in patriarchal societies where men tie their self-worth to being providers. - Women's financial dependence on abusive partners makes it harder to leave violent relationships. - Increased alcohol abuse, often linked to joblessness, further escalates domestic violence. A World Bank study (2022) found that for every 1% increase in male unemployment in South Africa, reports of domestic violence rose by 2.3%. This correlation is alarming in a country where one in five women has experienced physical violence from a partner (Stats SA, 2023). A destructive relationship stressor While all marriages face stressors — infidelity, health crises, parenting challenges — financial strain is uniquely destructive. Research from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) suggests that money-related conflicts are the leading cause of marital breakdown in South Africa, surpassing even infidelity in some cases. Yael Geffen, CEO of Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty and a single mother who rose to leadership while raising a young son, speaks candidly about the pressures women face: 'When I became CEO, my son was only four years old. The societal expectation was that I should choose either to be a mother or a leader. But why should women have to make that choice? Her experience underscores a harsh reality – women who lack economic autonomy are far more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Systemic disadvantage The economic crisis does not affect men and women equally. South African women face systemic disadvantages that make them more vulnerable: - Gender pay gap: Women earn 23-35% less than men for the same work (Stats SA, 2023). - Only 10% of top executive roles in JSE-listed companies are held by women (Businesswomen's Association SA, 2023). - Unpaid care work: Women spend four times more hours on unpaid care (childcare, cooking, cleaning) than men (ILO, 2022). This limits their ability to seek full-time employment or escape abusive situations. - Higher unemployment rates: Women's unemployment sits at 36%, compared to 32% for men (Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Q1 2024). - Black women are the worst affected, with rural unemployment nearing 50%. - Limited access to assets: Only 13% of women own property in their name (SA Women's Property Network, 2023). Without assets, leaving an abusive partner becomes nearly impossible. Geffen adds: 'When women don't own property or have savings, they're trapped. I was fortunate to have a career that allowed me financial freedom, but most women aren't that lucky. We need systemic change – better maternity policies, equal pay, and real support for single mothers.' Women's Month With over 250,000 jobs lost in early 2024 and no significant economic recovery in sight, women are being pushed deeper into poverty and danger. The government's response has been insufficient: - GBV shelters remain underfunded. - Economic relief programs do not specifically target women-led households. - Legal protections (like the Domestic Violence Act) are poorly enforced, especially in low-income areas. Activists argue that economic justice is gender justice. Solutions must include: - Expanding social grants for women in abusive situations. - Enforcing equal pay laws and supporting women-led businesses. - Investing in job creation for women in high-growth sectors. Geffen says as we enter Women's Month, South Africa must confront the brutal reality that financial strain is fuelling a hidden epidemic of gender-based violence. 'Women are not just victims of abuse – they are victims of an economy, effectively a government, that undervalues their labour, underpays their work, and overlooks their suffering. 'If the government is serious about ending GBV, it must address the economic roots of the crisis. Because for thousands of women, poverty isn't just about empty wallets – it's a life-and-death trap.'
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Hinge Finds A New Love Language For Gen Z: Substack And Creators
The most-watched TV show among Gen Z is Friends, a version of dating that skips the hard parts and wraps everything up in 22 minutes. But that's not the reality they're living. Gen Z is navigating their first adult relationships in a world shaped by COVID-19, economic stress, and shifting social norms. They've watched countless dating stories on Netflix, but few that reflect what they're actually going through. That disconnect isn't just about entertainment. It reflects a deeper generational shift. Gen Z isn't approaching relationships the way millennials did According to youth insights firm YPulse, young people's perspectives on dating have evolved significantly since the millennial era. As their January 2025 Dating & Relationships Report explains, 'Many young people are stepping away from traditional romantic pursuits in 2025, but they're not entirely closing the door on making connections.' MaryLeigh Bliss, Chief Content Officer at YPulse, adds: 'Gen Z has grown up hyper-connected by technology, but they're feeling more disconnected in dating than ever. Half of Gen Z young adults are single, but only 27% are actively looking to date. More of them are sliding into DMs than swiping right, and 67% say dating apps aren't as good as they used to be.' The popular dating app Hinge saw the shift firsthand. Its data scientists identified emerging patterns in user behavior, while the marketing team heard directly from Gen Z app users through feedback and research. The message was clear: Gen Z needed a new way to think about relationships. That insight called for more than a campaign. Hinge needed to adapt its approach to offer something Gen Z daters weren't getting anywhere else .What Hinge heard from users and researchers became the foundation for a new strategic philosophy. 'Whether designing a product feature or collaborating with a writer, we start by listening,' said Jackie Jantos, President and CMO of Hinge. 'We bring people into the process.' That principle 'build with, not for' now guides everything from product development to creator partnerships. It's a shift away from marketing at an audience and toward building alongside the people you're trying to reach The clearest expression of that approach is No Ordinary Love, a storytelling series created with Dazed Studio. Now in its second season, the project pairs real Hinge couples with contemporary writers, including Jen Winston and Hunter Harris, to share dating stories that reflect the lives of young adults today. Roxane Gay, the New York Times bestselling author and professor, introduces the series 'I love that this project highlighted love stories with less-than-perfect beginnings,' said Winston. 'Dating can be tough, and thinking you're alone in that toughness can be even harder.' Season two launches May 12 on Substack, where the first season also debuted. The platform was intentionally chosen for its long-form format and opt-in readership. It offers space for deeper storytelling outside the pressure of the algorithm. 'We see creators not just as partners but as peers,' said Jantos. 'They know more about their audiences than we ever could. That makes them an incredible source of insight, not just amplification.' The project also features other popular Substack writers, including Upasna Barath, Tomasz Jedrowski, and William Rayfet Hunter. To bring the stories to life visually, Hinge worked with photographers, designers, and other collaborators each chosen for their Gen Z perspective. 'I love that this project highlighted love stories with less-than-perfect beginnings,' said author Jen Winston. 'Dating can be tough, and thinking you're alone in that toughness can be even harder.' Hinge's strategy is already delivering results. Season one of No Ordinary Love led to a 10.5% increase in brand consideration in the U.S. 'No Ordinary Love is a great example of what branded content can be; it's not an interruption, but a meaningful contribution to the creative ecosystem,' said Christina Loff, Head of Lifestyle, Writer & Creator Partnerships at Substack. 'By supporting writers and creators as artists, Hinge is launching on Substack in a way that values creativity, trusts independent voices, and builds genuine connection with communities.' To extend the series, Hinge is distributing printed versions through book clubs in New York and London and sharing story excerpts on Pinterest and subway ads, places where people pause. 'We think about places where people slow down,' said Jantos. 'You can't always reach people by moving faster. Sometimes, you reach them by meeting them in the quiet moments.' Hinge knows this generation isn't looking for fairy tales, they're looking for stories they can relate to. That's why the brand has partnered with creators who hold credibility with Gen Z. These storytellers aren't promoting product features; they're helping a generation make sense of dating and relationships Most brands use creators to drive visibility. Hinge saw the real opportunity: collaborating with people who shape how Gen Z sees the world, not just their brand.
