A new global report from UN Women reveals a dire warning: half of women-led and women’s rights organisations in humanitarian crisis zones may shut down within six months due to funding cuts.
This would have devastating consequences for millions of women and families who depend on their services.
In a global survey conducted by UN Women, 90 per cent of 411 women’s organisations across 44 crisis-affected countries reported being impacted by reductions in foreign aid.
More than 60 per cent have already reduced their services, disrupting critical, life-saving support – from emergency health care and gender-based violence services to economic assistance and shelter.
What’s happening to women’s rights funding in humanitarian crises?
The global humanitarian system is under intense pressure. In 2024, USD 44.79 billion was needed to respond to escalating conflicts and disasters – but only 7 per cent of this target has been met. At the same time, major donor governments have announced deep cuts to foreign aid.
While the humanitarian system as a whole is being forced to scale back, local and national women-led organisations are among the hardest hit, despite playing frontline roles in delivering aid and reaching marginalised communities.
Why do humanitarian aid cuts hit women and girls hardest?
When women-led and women’s rights organisations are forced to scale back or shut down, women and girls in crisis lose access to essential, life-saving support.
- 62 per cent of surveyed organisations have already reduced services.
- Over 500 women and girls die each day in crisis settings from preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications.
- The majority of service cuts have impacted services to address and stop gender-based violence (67 per cent), followed by health care and livelihoods.
Without women’s rights organisations, survivors of gender-based violence have fewer safe places to turn, and women’s health and economic security are increasingly at risk.
Recent country-level data shows just how devastating these funding disruptions are:
- In Afghanistan, 50 per cent organisations reported that programmes for women are directly affected by the funding cuts.
- In Ukraine, 72 per cent of women-led and women’s rights organisations reported severe disruptions to humanitarian and development activities. Critically, over 60 per cent have been forced to suspend or reduce gender-based violence services — leaving survivors without access to safe shelters, legal aid or trauma support. One in three organisations say they may shut down completely within six months if replacement funding is not secured.
Why women’s rights organisations are essential in humanitarian response
Women’s organisations are not just service providers — they are trusted leaders and advocates who:
- Reach underserved communities with culturally informed support.
- Provide safe spaces, psychosocial services, and legal assistance for survivors of gender-based violence.
- Ensure that women’s voices are included in humanitarian planning and policy decisions.
- Build long-term resilience by empowering women economically and socially.
When they’re underfunded or forced to close, the entire humanitarian response becomes less effective, less inclusive, and less accountable to those most in need.
How you can support women’s organisations in crisis
Women-led and women’s rights organisations are working every day to save lives – even as funding shrinks. You can take action today:
- Donate to trusted women’s organisations in crisis-affected areas: UN Women partners with women-led organisations around the world to provide cash assistance, legal and psychosocial support, protect against gender-based violence, support livelihoods, and advocate for women’s rights in emergencies. In 2023 alone, UN Women worked with 1,580 women-led and women’s rights organisations. Donate now.
- Share the facts and amplify their stories: Help raise awareness about the vital work of women’s organisations in crises. Sharing accurate information online helps drive visibility and funding.
- Urge donors and policymakers to act: Major donors and governments can change the future of crisis response by committing to:
- Direct, flexible, multi-year funding for local women-led and women’s rights organisations.
- Representation of women in humanitarian coordination and leadership.
- Equitable partnerships that respect local knowledge and expertise.
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