GENEVA (AP) - At least 1 million women have lost access to critical humanitarian support due to significant budget cuts over the past 18 months, according to the United Nations agency focused on issues pertaining to women, UN Women. The organization reported that 84% of women's groups surveyed indicated that the need for their services has escalated since January 2025, coinciding with financial cutbacks initiated by the Trump administration, which was the largest donor to the United Nations.
Sofia Calltorp, UN Women’s chief of humanitarian action, emphasized the dire consequences of these funding reductions, stating, “Every dollar withdrawn from women’s organizations is a dollar withdrawn from survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, displaced mothers, girls forced from school, and communities struggling to survive.” The survey revealed that nearly 90% of women’s organizations can no longer meet the rising demands for their services, with one in five groups fearing that they might temporarily or permanently shut down within the next year.
According to UN Women, 855 women’s organizations operating in 52 countries have communicated urgent needs that have arisen due to the financial constraints. Calltorp noted that these organizations are turning away women and girls seeking assistance, which she referred to as “the tip of the iceberg.” The crisis is compounded by a stark increase in conflict-related sexual violence, which has reportedly doubled over the past year. Additionally, a recent report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development revealed that development assistance fell by nearly a quarter in 2022, amounting to $174 billion the largest annual contraction recorded.
Calltorp cautioned that without immediate intervention, the organizations that have provided critical support to women and girls amidst global crises could become casualties of the continuing turbulence. In response to the budget shortfalls, many UN organizations have had to cut thousands of jobs and pare down aid programs worldwide over the last year and a half, largely influenced by funding reductions from the United States and other key donors.
As part of ongoing reforms labeled UN80, the United Nations is contemplating a merger of UN Women with UNFPA, the agency that focuses on sexual and reproductive health. This potential merger reflects a strategic effort to streamline operations amid a challenging financial environment while still addressing the urgent needs of women and girls globally.
The situation underscores a growing concern over the sustainability and effectiveness of humanitarian efforts aimed at aiding vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls who face heightened risks in conflict settings. The cuts in funding not only hinder immediate support mechanisms but also threaten the long-term progress toward gender equality and women’s rights worldwide.
