Funding Cuts Threaten Progress on Ending Violence Against Women

Strategic Insights -

A new report by UN Women finds that frontline organisations working to end violence against women and girls are being dismantled due to funding cuts. According to the report, At Risk and Underfunded, one in three organisations have suspended or shut down programmes aimed at ending gender-based violence, while over 40% have scaled back or closed essential services such as shelters, legal aid, and healthcare support. Survivors are also being affected, with nearly 80% of organisations reporting reduced access to services for survivors.

Key Takeaways:

  • 428 women's rights and civil society groups were surveyed globally, with 36% reporting suspended or shut down programmes aimed at ending gender-based violence.
  • Over 40% of organisations have scaled back or closed essential services such as shelters, legal aid, psychosocial, and healthcare support due to immediate funding shortfalls.
  • Nearly 80% of organisations reported reduced access to services for survivors, while 59% said impunity and the normalisation of violence were increasing.
  • 5% of organisations predicted they could sustain operations for more than two years, while 85% predicted severe setbacks to laws and protections for women and girls.
  • Over half of organisations voiced serious concern about rising threats to women human rights defenders.
  • Funding cuts are unfolding amid a wider backlash against women's rights, now evident in one in four countries.

Statistics:

  • 736 million women - nearly one in three - have experienced physical or sexual violence, most often by an intimate partner, according to UN Women data.
  • 428 women's rights and civil society groups were surveyed globally.
  • 36% of surveyed organisations reported suspended or shut down programmes aimed at ending gender-based violence.
  • 40% of organisations have scaled back or closed essential services such as shelters, legal aid, psychosocial, and healthcare support due to immediate funding shortfalls.

Sources:

  • UN Women report, "At Risk and Underfunded", 2025
  • UN Women, "Data on Violence Against Women", 2025
  • UN Women, "State of World Population 2022 Report", 2022
  • United Nations, "Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action", 1995