A mounting humanitarian crisis threatens the survival of women’s organizations in conflict zones and disaster-affected areas. Nearly half of these groups could shut down within six months due to severe funding shortages, according to a recent UN Women report.
Operating in 73 countries where 308 million people rely on humanitarian aid, these organizations are indispensable lifelines for women and girls facing discrimination, sexual violence, and lack of access to essential services. Humanitarian funding for women-centered initiatives dwindles, threatening progress in gender equity, healthcare, and protection.
In this article we look at the effects in conflict zones.
The Scope of the Problem
A 2025 survey by UN Women involving 411 women-led and women’s rights organizations in crisis settings found that 90% had experienced funding cuts. Of these, 51% had to suspend at least one core program – many of which support survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) – while 72% laid off staff. Without new funding, 47% of these organizations expect to cease operations entirely within six months.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 308 million individuals in 73 countries depend on humanitarian aid, with women and girls disproportionately affected by crises arising from armed conflict, natural disasters, and economic instability. These organizations, often the only providers of legal aid, psychosocial support, and healthcare, now face devastating closures.
Country-Specific Impact in Conflict Zones
- Afghanistan: Many women’s organizations have ceased operations following the collapse of foreign aid post-2021 and the Taliban’s restrictive policies. GBV shelters and health clinics have been shuttered. Women’s mobility and work restrictions further undermine their access to vital services.
- Ukraine: With the war ongoing, women’s support programs have been gutted. The Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health had to shut down life-saving assistance programs, affecting over 10,000 women monthly. Programs supporting women veterans have been jeopardized.
- Sudan: UN Women ranks Sudan among the most critical settings for women and girls. Ongoing conflict and near-total donor withdrawal have left women’s groups unable to reach many communities, forcing staff evacuations and closures.
- Haiti: Extreme gang violence has led to epidemic levels of rape, particularly in Port-au-Prince. Women’s organizations cannot safely operate, and many staff have faced threats or displacement.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): The DRC recorded a 50% increase in conflict-related sexual violence in 2023, with 3,688 verified UN cases. Local NGOs, often the only frontline support for survivors, face imminent closure due to lack of funds.
- Syria and Yemen: Prolonged war and donor fatigue have forced the shutdown of safe spaces and reproductive health services. Humanitarian organizations report rising maternal mortality and GBV-related trauma with fewer resources.
Here’s an overview of the key impacts of some of the most important conflict zones.
| Country / Region / Conflict Zone | Estimated Number of Women Affected | Key Impacts |
|---|---|---|
| Global | Approximately 612 million women and girls lived within 50 km of armed conflicts in 2023, marking a 50% increase from a decade ago. | Increased exposure to violence, displacement, and limited access to essential services. |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) | In 2023, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) treated over 25,000 survivors of sexual violence nationwide, with 17,363 cases in North Kivu alone. | High prevalence of sexual violence, particularly in conflict-affected regions like North Kivu. |
| Sudan (Darfur) | As of 2023, NGOs estimated that the number of sexual violence cases could reach up to 4,400, with widespread underreporting. | Use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, targeting women and girls, especially from non-Arab communities. |
| Tigray, Ethiopia | Estimates suggest that up to 120,000 women may have been subjected to sexual violence during the conflict. | Systematic use of sexual violence by various armed groups as a tactic of war. |
| Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh | Approximately 335,670 female refugees, with 70,000 (20%) estimated to be pregnant or new mothers. | High rates of sexual violence and exploitation leading to increased pregnancies among displaced women. |
| Ukraine | Since February 2022, Russia-related violence resulted in 30,457 civilian casualties, including 1,885 children. | Displacement, increased risk of sexual violence, and disruption of essential services for women. |
| Myanmar | At least 1,132 women have been killed by the junta since the 2021 coup. | Targeted killings and widespread use of sexual violence against women by military forces. |
Note: The figures provided are based on the most recent reports and estimates. Due to the nature of conflicts and challenges in data collection, actual numbers may be higher.
Current Challenges faced by Women’s Organizations in Conflict Zones
The Peacebuilding Fund allocated 47% of its 2023 investments to gender equality and women’s empowerment, yet demand for support vastly exceeds resources. Flawed funding mechanisms and rigid grant structures leave local NGOs vulnerable in conflict zones. Advocacy organizations like WO=MEN (Ukraine) and Karama (Sudan) report persistent struggles to sustain operations.
Funding cuts are coupled with systemic neglect: women’s rights and leadership are deprioritized amid the surge of militarized crises. Service providers report frozen grants and zero operational flexibility. This structural deprioritization is evidenced by the steep rise in military spending globally, and in conflict zones, contrasting with stagnant or declining humanitarian aid allocations.
Consequences of Closure in Conflict Zones
- Loss of Critical Services: Over 60% of surveyed organizations have had to suspend GBV programs such as legal counseling, shelters, and psychosocial support.
- Reduced Representation: Women’s leadership platforms are disappearing. In Ukraine, initiatives for servicewomen have been halted. Iryna Nykorak warns this may erase gains in defense sector gender inclusion.
- Health and Well-being Setbacks: The collapse of women’s organizations affects reproductive and maternal health care. In fragile contexts, this leads to preventable deaths, malnutrition, and increased maternal morbidity.
- Economic Disempowerment: Local women’s cooperatives and self-help groups that offer skills training and livelihood support are being disbanded, undermining economic resilience.
- Risk of Regression: The absence of these organizations deepens structural inequality and halts progress toward SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The rollback of women’s participation also weakens broader peacebuilding and recovery processes.
Local Partnerships and Resilience
Despite grim projections, women’s organizations continue to lead in conflict zones:
- In Mali, peace clubs have engaged women and youth in community conflict resolution and dialogue. Women’s participation in such efforts correlates with reduced violence.
- In the DRC, grassroots responders fill gaps in state services, offering trauma recovery workshops and survivor shelters in remote areas.
- In Haiti, where one in five women report being raped in some neighborhoods, local feminist collectives continue advocating despite safety threats.
Responses and Solutions
- Flexible Core Funding: In 2023, $1.5 billion was pledged globally to the WPS-HA Compact. However, only $1.2 billion went to women’s participation in peace processes. Core support for local feminist organizations remains scarce.
- Systemic Diagnosis: The Iceberg Model, used by advocates, helps identify surface-level funding gaps and the deeper policy failures that cause them. Calls for feminist funding frameworks are gaining traction.
- Engaging Men: In Uganda, programs engaging Boda Boda riders transformed them from potential aggressors into advocates for GBV prevention. Such models show promise for replication.
- Investing in Local Expertise: Collaborations with traditional and community leaders can yield long-term impact. Programs that provide vocational training and entrepreneurship resources empower women economically while embedding social change.
Case Studies
- Haiti: Women’s NGOs are fighting against a tide of gang violence and displacement. Their advocacy has exposed systemic impunity and pushed international agencies to adopt survivor-centered frameworks.
- Mali: Though resource-rich, Mali suffers from wealth inequality and conflict. Programs incorporating women in artisanal gold mining reforms and inter-community peacebuilding have shown measurable success.
- DRC: With sexual violence cases surging, women’s groups are providing emergency shelter and legal advocacy. Their data collection has helped push UN response frameworks to include local indicators.
A Systemic Threat to Global Gender Justice
The looming collapse of women’s organizations in conflict zones is not just a funding emergency; it is clearly a systemic threat to global gender justice. These women’s organizations deliver life-saving services in conflict zones, build peace, and create economic opportunities. Without them, millions of women and girls are left to face the brutalities of conflict and disaster alone.
Immediate, sustained, and flexible funding – paired with structural reform in humanitarian aid allocation – is urgently required. Gender equality must be treated not as a side issue but as central to humanitarian resilience and recovery in conflict zones.
