The previous UK Government slashed funding for women and girls worldwide, risking decades of global progress on gender equality, new data analysis shows.
Research from humanitarian and development organisation CARE International UK and Evidence Enabled has found UK aid spending on gender equality has fallen year on year since 2019, and now stands at almost half of what it was pre-pandemic.
The data reveals the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend on gender equality fell from £6.3bn in 2019 to £3.4bn in 2022. This makes 2022 the joint lowest year on record since the UK began recording its spending on gender equality in 2014, and is disproportionate to the overall fall in aid during that time.
Dorothy Sang, Head of Advocacy and Policy at CARE International UK, said:
“This Government has the opportunity to take a new approach to gender equality, ensuring women and girls are at the heart of its foreign and development policy.
“Cuts to UK aid carried out by the previous Government hit those who needed it most the hardest, including women and girls who are often on the frontlines of humanitarian crises. This is despite the evidence showing investment in global gender equality is critical not only for improving women’s rights, but for economic growth, climate action, and conflict prevention. It’s a vital piece of the puzzle in tackling the biggest challenges facing our world today.”
After the devastating cuts to the ODA budget in 2021, research from CARE International UK in 2023 found very few safeguards had been put in place to avoid a disproportionate impact on vital programming for women and girls in crisis.
While the ODA budget was cut by a third, between 2021 and 2022:
- Programming to prevent violence against women and girls fell by 41%
- Programming primarily targeting gender equality as its outcome fell by 30%
- Funding to Women’s Rights Organisations fell by 66% from its peak in 2017
The previous Government pledged to focus at least 80% of ODA programmes on gender equality over the next five years, yet never set out how this will be achieved. This target was also largely covered by ‘gender mainstreaming’ – wherein gender equality is considered within decision-making but not the priority.
CARE International UK is urging the new Government to go further, committing to the 80% target with a clear plan, while specifically allocating at least 20% of ODA to projects with gender equality as the key objective.
Sang said: “Without focusing funding on the root causes of gender inequality, our ODA risks acting as a sticking plaster, not a sustainable solution.
"As attacks on women's rights around the world escalate, it has never been more important for the Government to stand up for gender equality, and fund the women and girls fighting for their future.”
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Media enquiries
For all media enquiries, please contact Zaina Alibhai on alibhai@careinternational.org
