Women This Week: Funding Cuts Threaten Lifesaving Work in Crisis Zones

Nearly Half of Women’s Organizations May Close Without Renewed Support  

A new report from UN Women is warning that nearly half of women-led and women's rights organizations working in crisis zones may be forced to shut down within six months due to widespread funding cuts. These organizations provide vital support for women, including reproductive health services and maternal care.  At least 90 percent of 411 organizations surveyed have been impacted by funding cuts, and over 50 percent have already suspended essential services, including support for survivors of gender-based violence. Three-quarters of organizations surveyed said that they had already reduced staff and shut down critical programs. Despite these challenges, women’s organizations are “leading with courage, advocating for their communities, and rebuilding lives with resilience and determination,” said UN Women. The brief calls on donors to immediately provide direct, flexible, and multi-year funding to sustain this vital work. “Supporting and resourcing them is not only a matter of equality and rights, but also a strategic imperative,” said Sofia Calltorp, Chief of UN Women Humanitarian Action. 

Nationwide Rallies in Australia Demand Action on Gendered Violence 

Tens of thousands of protestors marched across Australia to demand urgent action to end gender-based and sexual violence. The “No More: National Rally Against Violence” brought demonstrators to major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, as well as regional towns like Newcastle and Wollongong. Advocates say that promises by the newly elected federal government fail to meet the scale of the crisis, with disappointing funding pledges “barely even hitting the sides.” Since January 2024, 128 women have been killed in the country, according to Australian Femicide Watch. Protesters are demanding fully funded primary prevention services, as well as frontline services, including mandated trauma-informed training for all first responders and crisis accommodation, which would include housing and bail law reform. On the steps of Melbourne’s Parliament, victims’ names were read aloud as their images were laid in remembrance. “Violence against women is primarily a male problem … it’s not a women’s problem to solve but it’s women who are the ones who do the work,” said femicide researcher Sherele Moody. Organizers called for men to take active responsibility and for instruction on how to have healthy relationships. In light of the new election, Moody urged for more government collaboration with frontline service providers to address deep gaps in Australia’s support system.  

FIFA Expands 2031 Women’s World Cup to 48 Teams 

FIFA announced that the Women’s World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 teams beginning in 2031, a unanimous decision by the FIFA Council that signals a major investment in the future of women’s football. The expansion will introduce a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 and extending the tournament by one week. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the decision was “…taking the next steps in relation to the women’s game in general by ensuring that more FIFA Member Associations have the chance to benefit from the tournament to develop their women’s football structures from a holistic point of view.” He added that “This ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women’s football globally.” Hosting requirements have been revised to match the scale of the expanded format, with the United States still expected to host the 2031 tournament. Infantino said FIFA is targeting $1 billion in revenue from the expanded Women's World Cup, with all profits to be reinvested in the women’s game. 

Diya Mehta is the intern for the Women and Foreign Policy Program.