Aid Cuts Push Afghan Women’s Organizations Toward Crisis

DID Press: Declining international aid to Afghanistan is pushing organizations that support women and girls toward a severe financial crisis, as Afghan women continue to face sweeping restrictions on education, employment, movement and access to services.

The United Nations says more than half of 74 women’s organizations assessed in April could be forced to suspend operations or close their offices within the next year if current funding trends continue.

Susan Ferguson, the U.N. special representative for women in Afghanistan, has urged donor countries not to reduce financial support for Afghan women and girls.She described the situation facing women in Afghanistan as one of the world’s most severe women’s rights crises.

According to the assessment, nearly three-quarters of women’s organizations reported funding cuts in 2025, while about two-thirds said they had six months or less of financial resources remaining to continue their operations.

Meanwhile, the United Nations’ $1.7 billion humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan has received only about 25% of the funding required, further increasing pressure on aid organizations and vulnerable communities.