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In a global survey by UN Women, 90% of 411 women's organisations across 44 crisis-affected countries reported being impacted by reductions in foreign aid. This alarming statistic highlights the severe consequences of funding cuts on women's rights organisations and humanitarian responses.
The humanitarian system is under immense pressure, with only 7% of a USD 44.79 billion target for responding to escalating conflicts and disasters met. This shortfall has reshaped global development funding, disproportionately impacting women, girls, and girls' health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
In Afghanistan, 50% of organisations reported that programs for women are directly affected by funding cuts. This has weakened responses to urgent needs, with women returnees at Afghan border points being overwhelmed and underserved. The international community is urged to invest in women humanitarians and protection services to avert further deterioration of rights and safety.
Similar issues are evident in Ukraine, where 72% of women-led and women's rights organisations reported severe disruptions to humanitarian and development activities. Over 60% were forced to suspend or reduce gender-based violence services, a critical, life-saving support.
The consequences of these funding cuts are far-reaching. Reduced access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, and HIV-related health services for women and girls has been reported, increasing protection risks due to fewer safe spaces, support services, and response capacities at crisis frontlines. Heightened food insecurity, malnutrition, and health vulnerabilities among displaced and conflict-affected women and children have also been observed.
In Sudan, slashed funding amidst ongoing conflict has led to the halting or scaling back of nutrition programs vital for women and children, resulting in hunger, increased child malnutrition, and outbreaks of disease such as cholera.
Women's organisations play essential roles in humanitarian response, acting as trusted leaders and advocates. They ensure that women's voices are included in humanitarian planning and policy decisions, reach underserved communities with culturally informed support, provide safe spaces, psychosocial services, and legal assistance for survivors of gender-based violence, and build long-term resilience by empowering women economically and socially.
To mitigate these impacts, major donors and governments are urged to commit to direct, flexible, multi-year funding for local women-led and women's rights organisations, representation of women in humanitarian coordination and leadership, and equitable partnerships that respect local knowledge and expertise. The UN Women global report warns that half of women-led and women's rights organisations in humanitarian crisis zones may close within six months due to funding cuts.
Sharing accurate information online about the work of women's organisations in crisis can help raise awareness and drive visibility. Donations can be made to trusted women's organisations for providing cash assistance, legal and psychosocial support, protection against gender-based violence, support for livelihoods, and advocacy for women's rights in emergencies. Without such support, decades of progress on women’s rights and health in humanitarian contexts are at high risk of reversal.
