Published on: 2026-09-02
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 2, 2026 Women
Thirty years ago, the UN General Assembly created the first and still the only fund within the UN system solely dedicated to combating violence against women and girls. Over three decades, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women has mobilized more than $250 million and supported over 700 initiatives worldwide.
In his message on the occasion of the anniversary, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on partners to renew support for the Fund and invest in women’s organizations around the world.
“Violence against women and girls is a persistent and widespread global scourge. It leaves physical and psychological scars, deprives livelihoods, and disrupts education. Entire communities pay the price for this—with weaker economies and growing inequality,” said the UN chief.
What lies behind the numbers
From 2010 to 2015, the Foundation awarded 109 grants totaling 55 million dollars, and from 2021 to 2025 – 153 grants totaling 70 million dollars. An independent evaluation of 36 projects completed over the past five years showed that all produced results, most of which were long-term. The report’s authors emphasize that statistics often do not reflect the changed attitude towards women, the trust in support services, and the willingness of victims to officially report violence.
Nevertheless, some figures speak for themselves. In Somalia, where an estimated up to 98 percent of girls undergo female genital mutilation, the International Solidarity Foundation worked with religious and traditional leaders, students, and journalists. During the project, the share of religious leaders who consider this practice harmful increased from 52 to 96 percent, and among students from 44 to 91 percent. Parents’ willingness to support abandoning the operations rose from 72 to 100 percent. According to the organization’s calculations, the project prevented mutilating operations on more than 12,000 girls.
“For me, the project changed my way of thinking. At first, I thought that circumcision protected the girl so that she would not have illicit sex. Now I know that it brings problems – health, financial, and religious,” said the student who participated in the focus group.
© ILO/M. Crozet A woman in Albania trading on the street.
Sometimes results can be achieved by investing very little money. In the Western Balkans, three organizations – Forumi Gruas Elbasan in Albania, the SOS helpline for women and children in Montenegro, and the Center for Girls in Serbia – each received grants ranging from $100,000 to $200,000. They worked with those whom the aid system usually overlooks: elderly rural women, including those from Roma communities who, due to language barriers and cultural taboos, were reluctant to seek help, and schoolgirls for whom domestic violence had been normal since childhood.
Local women’s groups trusted in these communities devised their own ways to reach people — from volunteer helplines to training elderly women in first aid skills. In Serbia, the Girls’ Center operated directly in schools: girls received knowledge about their rights and passed it on to their peers. Small amounts that support already successful projects often prove to be a more effective investment than funding new large-scale initiatives.
Husbands, priests, and imams
Another conclusion of the evaluation: the greatest effect comes not only from working with the women themselves but also with those who shape societal norms – men, religious leaders, officials.
In Liberia, the organization Episcopal Relief & Development focused on priests and imams. Christian and Muslim leaders studied sacred texts together and developed materials for their communities. Over six years, the project reached nearly 30,000 people, and the number of women subjected to partner violence decreased by 8 percent.
In India, the organization Sahayog established 100 men’s groups in two regions with high levels of domestic violence. The trained men became role models for their fellow villagers and worked in conjunction with a hundred local women’s organizations.
“Before, it never even occurred to me to discuss anything with my wife – I made the decisions. But after training and conversations in the group, I realized the importance of consulting with my wife and making decisions together. She should be an equal partner. Now we decide everything together, and I see that it has helped the family: my wife suggests how to spend money more wisely,” said one of the participants.
Protection and justice
Another direction is training those who, by their duty, must protect women. In Peru, the organization Paz y Esperanza conducted training for more than a thousand judges, prosecutors, police officers, and other officials on gender and disability issues. The proportion of women with disabilities who officially reported violence increased from 13 to 37 percent. The authors of the assessment particularly emphasize: this is a sign that women have started to trust the system more, not that violence has increased.
© UNHCR/G. Vivacqua Women in South Sudan go in search of water.
In South Sudan, where state courts hardly operate due to conflict, the organization StewardWomen set up mobile courts and worked with traditional institutions to ensure cases were considered with the interests of the victims in mind. Over three years, they managed to bring 58 cases to sentencing, and more than 400 victims of rape and forced marriages received medical, psychological, and economic assistance.
Breaking the cycle of violence
Many women return to abusive partners simply because they cannot support themselves and their children. Therefore, a number of projects have focused on economic independence. In Kenya, the Catholic organization Trócaire worked with 4,500 girls in eight informal settlements, teaching them trades.
“I am now a single, but happy mother – I left a marriage where I was abused. My skills as a hairdresser and seamstress allow me to feed my children, pay for housing, and even save a little,” said one of the participants.
In Pakistan, the CBM organization created a helpline and 100 self-help groups for women with disabilities, and also helped them obtain electronic identity cards. Without these, they could not claim social support and remained in situations where they were subjected to violence by partners or relatives.
Warning signals
Despite these achievements, the situation in the world remains dire. Almost one in three women reported experiencing violence, and in 2024, every ten minutes, a woman or girl was killed by an intimate partner or family member.
At the same time, according to a survey by the UN Women structure, 90 percent of women’s organizations have suffered financial losses due to cuts in external aid budgets, and almost half are at risk of closure. The demand for the Fund’s support far exceeds its capacity: in 2025 alone, applications amounting to more than 2 billion dollars were received.
“More resources are needed, and many problems remain unresolved. Conflicts, climate change, and new technologies are putting women and girls at increasing risk — along with relentless attempts to take away their rights,” emphasized the UN Secretary-General.
The Fund’s new strategic plan for 2026–2030 provides for raising at least 150 million dollars. All grants will be calculated for a minimum of four years, and in the future – for six or more years, with each including not only project funds but also flexible financing for the organization’s own needs.
Among the priorities are combating new forms of violence related to technology and violence in the context of climate and humanitarian crises, as well as supporting adolescent girls.
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