Aid cuts leave at least one million women and girls without vital support

Women and Girls Face Critical Support Gap as Global Aid Shrinks

Aid cuts leave at least one million - A landmark assessment released by UN Women reveals that unprecedented reductions in international funding have pushed women's organizations operating in conflict zones to the edge of collapse. The agency announced on Friday that at least one million women and girls worldwide have been deprived of essential humanitarian assistance since the beginning of 2025. This alarming development coincides with global humanitarian needs reaching their highest levels in recent history.

The comprehensive report, titled "Beyond the Breaking Point," examines how organizations delivering vital services to women and girls are compelled to scale back or completely halt their programmes. Despite the escalating need, local women-led groups face severe financial constraints. These organizations frequently operate in regions where international agencies struggle to maintain a presence, making their role even more crucial.

Current data indicates that approximately 120 million women and girls across the globe now require humanitarian aid and protection. Women's organizations positioned to serve these populations are experiencing dramatic funding shortfalls. Their work spans some of the most severe humanitarian emergencies globally, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Haiti. These groups remain committed to their communities long after international attention moves elsewhere, providing continuous support to violence survivors, displaced families, and vulnerable populations.

"Every dollar withdrawn from women's organizations is a dollar withdrawn from survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, displaced mothers, girls forced from school, and communities struggling to survive," stated Sofia Calltorp, UN Women Chief of Humanitarian Action.

The assessment draws on responses gathered from 855 women-led organizations operating across 52 countries affected by crisis and conflict. The findings paint a concerning picture of an aid system under strain.

Key statistics from the report highlight the severity of the situation. Nearly nine out of ten organizations indicated they can no longer satisfy current levels of need, while 84 percent documented increased demand for their services. Women and girls with the fewest alternatives are experiencing the impact first, with 63 percent of organizations reporting reduced services in remote and hard-to-reach communities.

Growing concerns about safety have also emerged. Eighty-six percent of organizations noted rising levels of gender-based violence, while 62 percent reported that safe spaces had either closed or been significantly diminished. Additionally, one in five organizations has suspended work on women's leadership and gender equality initiatives as funding cuts intensify a broader global backlash against women's rights.

Many women leading these humanitarian efforts are navigating their own conflicts or displacement. Despite limited resources, nearly two-thirds of organizations reported that staff continue working without pay to maintain essential services. Staff burnout is simultaneously increasing, with almost half of organizations noting this trend. Mental health among the women and girls being supported has worsened according to 88 percent of respondents.

The consequences of this funding crisis are already visible in communities worldwide. Half of the surveyed organizations have implemented waiting lists or are turning away women and girls unable to receive services. Meanwhile, 92 percent report growing poverty among the women they serve, and 82 percent are witnessing more girls leaving school.

Behind these numbers are real stories: women arriving at shelters that have closed, pregnant women traveling for hours to access healthcare, and mothers unable to secure adequate food for their children.

UN Women emphasizes that the repercussions extend beyond immediate humanitarian concerns. The decline of women's organizations weakens efforts to promote women's leadership and participation in community decision-making. More than half of those surveyed reported declining involvement of women in local leadership positions.

The agency is urging sustained investment in women's organizations, characterizing them as indispensable first responders, defenders of women's rights, and essential partners in recovery and peacebuilding efforts.

"Without immediate action, the organizations that have kept women and girls alive through the world's worst crises risk becoming another casualty of war," Ms. Calltorp concluded.