According to European Union, with a further £6 million committed, the EU’s total support for the ACRP now reaches £21 million. This significant investment comes at a time of foreign aid cuts amidst multiple intersecting crises including the worsening drought and floods, the dramatic earthquake of 31 August 2025, and the return of more than 1.7 million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan already this year, many forcibly.
The new funding of £8 million brings the EU’s total commitment to £23 million over three and a half years, providing protection and life-saving services to women and girls. Since March 2023, UN Women has been investing in grassroots women’s civil society organizations throughout Afghanistan, enabling them to provide critical services such as protection, psychosocial support, and livelihood opportunities, often through community-based women-only centres. Additionally, UN Women actively engages men and boys in these communities to ensure collective ownership and support for women’s initiatives. Furthermore, together the EU and UN Women invest in amplifying voices of Afghan women by enhancing data and research efforts. This partnership equips all decision-makers with the necessary evidence to design effective, gender-responsive policies and programs.
Veronika Boskovic Pohar, EU Chargée d’Affaires, states, “The EU is proud to reinforce its partnership with UN Women. This new funding is a testament to our steadfast commitment to the women and girls of Afghanistan, who are the bedrock of their communities. Our support is designed to empower them through data-driven programs, as we believe the full and equal participation of all citizens is the only path to a more prosperous future.”
UN Women Afghanistan Special Representative Susan Ferguson welcomed the European Union’s additional investment. “Women’s civil society organizations are often one of the only lifelines left for Afghan women and girls to access the services they need in a safe and principled way,” Ms. Ferguson said. “It is more urgent than ever that we invest in their work and help them keep their doors open.”