GENEVA — At least 1 million women and girls have lost access to humanitarian and other critical support due to budget cuts over the past 18 months, according to a report from UN Women titled 'Beyond the Breaking Point'. The report indicated that many U.N. organizations have reduced aid programs and cut thousands of jobs during this same period.

UN Women surveyed 855 women's organizations operating in 52 countries for its report. Sofia Calltorp, UN Women's chief of humanitarian action, stated: "UN Women has spoken to 855 women's organizations working in 52 countries, who have told us that these women and girls have been turned away due to funding cuts that are dismantling their organizations."

"We know that this number, at least 1 million women and girls, is just the tip of the iceberg," Calltorp said. "Without immediate action, the organizations that have kept women and girls alive through the world's worst crises risk becoming another casualty of war."

Calltorp also stated: "The women's organizations at risk of being shut down are on the frontlines of the world's most severe humanitarian crises." The organizations surveyed reported increased needs since January 2025, with 84% indicating a rise. Nearly 90% of these groups reported an inability to meet current demand levels. One in five of the surveyed organizations expects to close temporarily or permanently within the next year.

The report detailed several specific impacts, including 62% of organizations reporting that safe spaces have either closed or been reduced. Half of the surveyed organizations have implemented waiting lists or are turning away women and girls seeking assistance. Additionally, 92% of the surveyed organizations observed growing poverty among the women they serve, and 82% noted more girls leaving school.

Conflict-related sexual violence reportedly doubled in the previous year. "Every dollar withdrawn from women's organizations is a dollar withdrawn from survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, displaced mothers, girls forced from school and communities struggling to survive," Calltorp said. Nearly two-thirds of the surveyed organizations reported staff working without pay to maintain essential services. According to a report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, development assistance fell by almost a quarter last year to $174 billion.