Norway supports the fight for women’s rights with nearly NOK 700 million

“In many parts of the world, we are seeing serious setbacks for women’s rights. We must act when girls and women lose access to safe abortion, modern contraception and safe childbirth, when violence against women increases, and when rape is increasingly used as a weapon of war and conflict. That is why Norway is using its political and financial leverage to support UNFPA and UN Women,” says Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust .

Continued support at a high level

In 2026, Norway will provide NOK 589.6 million to UNFPA and NOK 100.3 million to UN Women. This means that funding is maintained at the same level as in 2024 and 2025.

The two UN organisations are among Norway’s most important partners on gender equality and rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for women and girls.

The support enables UNFPA and UN Women to respond to the many crises in which women and girls are affected, such as the conflicts in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Somalia and South Sudan. (Source: UN)

In practical terms, this includes providing protection and health services to survivors of violence in crises and preventing child marriage and female genital mutilation. In 2024, this work reached hundreds of thousands of women and girls. It also includes support to countries developing national action plans on women, peace and security in order to prevent conflict and build more inclusive societies.

What the figures tell us about women’s health globally

Women’s health worldwide is in a critical situation, and very many still lack access to basic health care and protection:

• Over 700 women die every day from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth that could have been prevented. This amounts to approximately one death every two minutes.
• Six in ten unintended pregnancies end in abortion, and around 45 per cent of these abortions are unsafe.
• 164 million people lack access to contraception that meets their needs.
• More than 230 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to female genital mutilation.
• Conflict-related sexual violence increased by 25% in 2024, and the need for support services has risen sharply and has almost tripled in Sudan.
• Nearly one in three women – around 840 million globally – have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence during their lifetime.

“Where rights and democracy are weakened, the risk of conflict and crisis increases. Strengthening the UN as a key arena for developing and defending norms on gender equality, inclusion and health is therefore a clear priority for Norway,” says Aukrust.