A recent UN Women survey reveals that over half of women’s aid organizations worldwide risk shutting down within six months due to significant funding reductions, notably following the U.S. government’s withdrawal of over $40 million in foreign assistance. These cuts, part of a broader “America First” policy shift, have severely impacted services in crisis zones like Afghanistan and Ukraine, leaving vulnerable women and girls without essential support.
A Global Lifeline Under Threat
In March 2025, UN Women conducted a rapid global survey to understand how these funding reductions are affecting local women-led groups in crisis settings. The survey reached 411 organizations across 44 countries. The findings are stark: 90% of organizations surveyed report suffering funding cuts, and 47% say they may be forced to close by late 2025 if the situation does not improve.
These organizations provide essential services, including shelter, legal aid, trauma counseling, and reproductive healthcare. Their potential closure threatens to leave countless women and girls without support in regions already grappling with conflict and instability.
The U.S. Policy Shift and Its Global Impact
The funding crisis is largely attributed to Executive Order 14169, signed by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. This order initiated a 90-day pause on all U.S. foreign development assistance programs to conduct a review, leading to the suspension of numerous aid programs. While some exemptions were later added, many organizations, particularly those focusing on women’s rights and health, remain affected.
The U.S. had been the largest international donor to women’s aid organizations. The suspension of over $40 million in funding has had dire consequences, especially in crisis zones like Afghanistan and Ukraine. The funding rollback has led to reduced access to essential health care, legal aid, and trauma support for vulnerable women and girls.
Real-World Consequences
In northeastern Nigeria, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) had long provided critical support for humanitarian efforts, aiding non-governmental organizations in delivering food, shelter, and healthcare to millions affected by conflict and poverty. However, in 2025, the Trump administration implemented a drastic reduction in global aid, cutting more than 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts and slashing $60 billion in assistance worldwide. This abrupt withdrawal has severely impacted relief efforts in the region, leading to devastating consequences, especially for children, many of whom are malnourished and dependent on this aid for survival.
In Ukraine, women-led and women’s rights organizations have been severely impacted by funding suspensions by the United States. A new survey by UN Women reveals that five women’s rights organizations announced that they will have to close in the coming month, and overall, 35 organizations say that they are likely to have to stop working after six months if no new funding is found to replace lost resources.
A Call to Action
UN Women officials warn that these cuts are pushing already strained aid organizations to their limits, urging urgent financial intervention to prevent widespread closures. The crisis unfolds as the UN commemorates its 80th anniversary, amidst broader organizational cost-cutting measures announced by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Sofia Calltorp, Chief of UN Women Humanitarian Action, emphasized the critical nature of the situation: “The situation is critical. Women and girls simply cannot afford to lose the lifelines that women’s organizations are providing. Despite their roles as essential providers, advocates, and watchdogs, women’s organizations have been severely underfunded even before the recent wave of reductions. Supporting and resourcing them is not only a matter of equality and rights, but it is also a strategic imperative.”
The Road Ahead
The potential closure of nearly half of women’s aid organizations within six months underscores the urgent need for renewed international support. As global crises continue to escalate, the services provided by these organizations are more critical than ever. The international community must act swiftly to restore funding and ensure that women and girls in crisis zones are not left without the support they desperately need.
