Divorce and Women’s Economic Empowerment: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Divorce often marks a turning point in women’s economic lives, intensifying vulnerability but also revealing opportunities for renewal and empowerment. This article examines how divorce affects women’s economic empowerment, identifying the primary challenges—including income instability, asset fragmentation, caregiving burdens, and social stigma—and the opportunities that can facilitate greater economic agency, such as access to financial literacy, financial inclusion, legal reform, social protection, and income diversification. The paper argues that empowerment is achievable when structural barriers are addressed and women’s agency is strengthened through targeted interventions, supportive institutions, and inclusive economic policies. The synthesis highlights the need for longitudinal research and context-specific strategies to promote durable economic independence for divorced women.