“Women themselves have not even understood that [violence] is not the cost of participating in politics.”— Sandra Pepera, National Democratic Institute Running for office is expensive for everyone. But for women, the true price is often higher, more layered and largely invisible in official campaign accounts. Beyond nomination fees, posters, rallies and campaign staff, women may face additional costs related to security, transport, childcare, lost income, online abuse, sexual harassment, threats against family members and the constant pressure to prove that political ambition does not make them selfish or neglectful. That is why Sandra Pepera’s observation is so powerful. Violence, intimidation and harassment are too often treated as unavoidable “costs of politics,” rather than barriers that disproportionately push women out of public life. For many female candidates, campaigning demands not only money but also safety, time, emotional resilience, family support and a willingness to endure intense public scrutiny. These hidden…

By Blossom Ukoha For a woman running a small business in Europe, a change in trade policy can begin with something deceptively simple: an email from a supplier, a new customs requirement or a contract asking for information her company has never had to provide before. Behind that seemingly routine paperwork is a much bigger transformation. Europe is rethinking how it trades with the world. Trade is no longer being treated simply as a question of lowering tariffs and opening markets. Increasingly, the European Union is connecting trade to economic security, supply-chain resilience, climate policy, digital transformation and geopolitical competition. For women entrepreneurs, that shift creates new opportunities—but also raises the cost of being ready to compete. Europe’s New Trade Reality The European Union is pursuing a more assertive trade strategy as businesses navigate geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions and the accelerating green transition. Brussels is strengthening relationships with strategic partners…