Recent cuts in foreign aid have left women’s rights organizations worldwide at risk, with many reaching “a breaking point,” according to a report published by UN Women. A survey indicates that nearly half of these organizations could face closure in the coming six months should the current funding environment persist.
The UN has long advocated for developed nations to allocate 0.7 percent of their gross national income (GNI) towards official development assistance (ODA). However, Concord, a coalition of NGOs committed to enhancing international cooperation, revealed in their 2024 Aidwatch report that 20 EU Member States had reduced their ODA contributions in 2023.
The issue is compounded by actions taken under the former US administration. In an effort to reevaluate and realign the nation’s foreign aid commitments, President Donald Trump initiated significant cuts through Executive Order No. 14,169, which led to a pause and eventual dismantling of USAID. As a result, only 7 percent of the $44.79 billion required for global humanitarian efforts was met over the past year.
Women and girls in crisis-affected regions are disproportionately impacted by the cuts, as they often must fill the void left by diminishing humanitarian services. The UN report highlights that essential services for these groups are among the first to be affected during crises, exacerbating pre-existing gender inequalities and hindering access to necessary resources and autonomy.
The survey included in the report, conducted across 411 women-led organizations in 44 crisis settings, reveals stark realities: 90 percent face financial strain, over half have halted programming, and more than three-quarters have had to lay off staff. This dire situation prompts the UN report’s plea for the international community to offer direct, flexible, and sustained funding to these critical organizations, advocating for women’s leadership and participation in humanitarian interventions.