Funding Cuts Threaten Global Efforts to Combat Violence Against Women

A significant reduction in international aid, particularly from the United States, is jeopardizing vital programs designed to protect women and girls from violence worldwide. This pullback is forcing shelters to close, limiting access to essential services, and reversing decades of progress in addressing gender-based violence.

The Human Cost of Funding Shortfalls

Lisseth, a Honduran activist who has dedicated 30 years to improving the lives of women experiencing violence, recounts the desperate plea of a 22-year-old woman who sought refuge at a shelter she helped found in June 2025. The woman, fleeing a physically and sexually abusive partner, arrived at a shelter facing a dire budget shortfall due to U.S. Foreign aid cuts. Lisseth recalls the woman’s heartbreaking request: “position me to sleep sitting up or give me food once a day,’ ” ‘I can’t go back.’ ” NPR

This case exemplifies a growing crisis. According to the World Health Organization, one in three women – over 700 million globally – have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or a non-partner in their lifetime. NPR In 2024, Lisseth’s shelters alone assisted over 400 women.

The Impact of U.S. Aid Cuts

The cuts to international assistance, initiated by the second Trump administration, have had a devastating impact on organizations working to end violence against women and girls. A global survey by U.N. Women, published in October 2025, revealed that over 40% of these organizations have been forced to scale back or completely shut down life-saving services due to funding shortages. NPR

A report from the Women’s Refugee Commission found that over $400 million in U.S. Foreign aid was cut in the past year from grants specifically addressing gender-based violence. NPR These cuts were linked to the administration’s anti-DEI efforts, including the elimination of government initiatives referencing “gender.”

A Shift in Political Landscape

The issue of combating gender-based violence has become increasingly politicized. Beatriz García Nice, a research analyst at the Stimson Center, notes that during the first Trump administration, initiatives led by Ivanka Trump provided significant funding for work against gender-based violence and women’s empowerment. However, the current administration has shifted away from this commitment, removing any explicit references to “gender” in its programs, even while maintaining that it does not condone violence against women. NPR

This change has transformed the issue from a bipartisan human rights concern into a politically charged one, with some viewing it as a “left-leaning” issue. NPR

The Situation in Honduras

In Honduras, Lisseth’s organization has been forced to reduce medical care, psychological support, and legal services due to budget constraints. The shelter struggles to provide basic necessities like diapers and formula for mothers and their children, and beds are often shared. NPR More than 100 women and children have been turned away in the past year. NPR

Lisseth fears the crisis will worsen as more funding streams dry up and staff are laid off. NPR

Looking Ahead

Experts like Nancy Glass, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, emphasize the need for sustainable funding mechanisms that are not dependent on the shifting priorities of individual governments or foundations. Potential solutions include consistent funding through taxes or partnerships with faith-based organizations. NPR The situation underscores the urgent need for a renewed global commitment to protecting women and girls from violence.