Fall in funding cuts aid to 1 million women: UN

A United Nations report indicates that global aid cuts have deprived at least one million women and girls of essential support over the past 18 months. The United States initiated these cuts in 2025, slashing billions in foreign assistance, a move followed by other major donors like Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, largely due to domestic pressures and increased defense spending. These funding reductions have severely impacted women's organizations, with 90% reporting an inability to meet rising demand for services. The UN surveyed 855 organizations in 52 vulnerable countries, finding that 40% are at risk of temporary or permanent closure within the next year due to insufficient funding. These organizations are critical in addressing humanitarian crises, supporting survivors of sexual violence, displaced mothers, and girls out of school.

At least 1 million women have lost access to critical humanitarian support due to funding cuts over the past 18 months, according to UN Women. The agency reported that 84% of surveyed women's organizations have seen increased needs since January 2025, coinciding with cutbacks in foreign aid by the United States, the largest UN donor. Nearly 90% of these organizations can no longer meet current demand, with one in five expecting to shut down. UN Women highlighted that conflict-related sexual violence doubled last year, and overall development assistance fell by nearly a quarter. These funding reductions are impacting survivors of sexual violence, displaced mothers, and girls denied education.