Global Funding Cuts Threaten Women, Children’s Health Programs
By Samantha Linda
The global funding crisis, particularly in the health sector, is threatening to shut down vital health and rights programs for women, children, and adolescents, a new survey by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) has revealed.
The findings show that many frontline organizations are being forced to scale down, suspend, or permanently close essential health services, raising fears of reversed progress in global health.
Speaking during the release of the findings in Geneva, Switzerland, Rajat Khosla, Executive Director of PMNCH, described the situation as alarming. “This is not just a financial crisis it’s a human one,” said Khosla. “As funding dries up, frontline organizations are being forced to scale back or suspend services that millions of women and children depend on. The world cannot afford to lose this momentum.”
The survey, conducted among 103 partner organizations in Africa, Latin America, and South-East Asia, found that 89% of respondents faced reduced or uncertain funding over the past year, while 81% reported moderate to severe impacts on advancing women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health (WCAH) goals. Nearly two-thirds (62%) said they had to downsize their programs, with 37% suspending activities and 19% permanently closing initiatives.
The report highlights how funding cuts are hitting sexual and reproductive health, maternal care, and adolescent health programs the hardest. Many organizations have laid off staff, halted mobile clinics, and stopped outreach services that provide family planning, safe delivery, and vaccination support.
PMNCH found that the health workforce, particularly midwives and nurses, is facing serious challenges. Training and capacity-building initiatives have been suspended due to limited funding, affecting service quality at hospitals and community health centers.
The survey also revealed that sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) programs are among the most vulnerable. Respondents reported growing sociopolitical pushback and anti-gender movements that, coupled with financial constraints, are threatening advocacy and education efforts.
In response to the crisis, PMNCH is calling on donors, governments, and global leaders to prioritize long-term, flexible funding that allows local organizations to respond quickly to emerging challenges.
Helen Clark, Chair of the PMNCH Board and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, emphasized that partners are asking for solidarity, not charity.“They know what works. What they need are the resources and political space to keep doing it,” said Clark.
PMNCH is urging stakeholders to “hold the line on women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health” by ensuring sustained investment and coordinated action to prevent the loss of progress made over the past decade.
“Every delay, every funding cut, risks reversing years of progress,” Khosla warned. “We must protect the health and rights of the most vulnerable.”
Despite the challenges, PMNCH partners are seeking ways to stay resilient by strengthening collaborations, sharing resources, and building advocacy networks. Many are focusing on capacity-building, youth engagement, and local innovation to keep health services running where possible.
The survey findings send a clear message: global health programs cannot thrive on uncertain funding. Sustained support, flexible financing, and strong partnerships are key to ensuring that no woman, child, or adolescent is left behind.