**Title: UN Report Reveals Funding Cuts Leave One Million Women and Girls Without Critical Support**
A recent report from the United Nations has highlighted a significant decline in funding for organizations that support women and girls, resulting in at least one million individuals being cut off from essential services over the past 18 months. The findings, published on July 10, 2026, by UN Women, underscore the dire consequences of global aid reductions, particularly in the context of rising demand for these services.
The report indicates that while the need for support has surged, with many organizations witnessing an increase in requests for assistance, a staggering 90 percent of these organizations are unable to meet the needs of women and girls on the ground due to dwindling financial resources. This crisis is exacerbated by the fact that many women's organizations, which are crucial in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, are at risk of closure.
Sofia Calltorp, UN Women’s chief of humanitarian action, emphasized the critical role these organizations play, stating, “The women’s organizations at risk of being shut down are on the frontlines of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.” She further noted that every dollar withdrawn from these organizations directly impacts survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, displaced mothers, and girls who are forced out of school.
The report surveyed 855 women’s organizations operating across 52 vulnerable countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, and Afghanistan. Alarmingly, 40 percent of these organizations are facing the prospect of temporary or permanent shutdown within the next year due to insufficient funding. Moreover, 60 percent reported that they are reaching fewer women and girls since January 2025, despite the escalating needs in their communities.
The situation has forced many organizations to implement waiting lists or to turn away women and girls seeking assistance. Nearly all respondents indicated that the women they serve are becoming poorer, and there has been a noticeable increase in school dropouts among girls. The report also highlights a troubling rise in conflict-related sexual violence, which has doubled in the past year, yet 62 percent of organizations report lacking safe spaces and have had to reduce their gender-based violence services.
The decline in funding can be traced back to significant cuts in foreign aid by major donor countries. The United States, once the largest aid donor globally, has seen its foreign aid budget slashed by more than 50 percent following the Trump administration's decision to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in early 2025. This reduction in aid has been mirrored by other countries, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, which have also reduced their contributions due to domestic pressures and an emphasis on increasing defense spending.
The UN Women report serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by organizations dedicated to supporting women and girls in crisis situations. As funding continues to dwindle, the future of these organizations—and the vulnerable populations they serve—remains uncertain. The findings call for urgent action to restore financial support and ensure that the needs of women and girls are prioritized in global humanitarian efforts.