The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has warned that a deepening United Nations financial and liquidity crisis is undermining global protections for women and girls.
In a statement, the Committee said: “Women’s and girls’ rights are human rights — this has and always will be non-negotiable.”
The Committee, which monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), said the unprecedented financial crisis runs counter to legally binding obligations undertaken by 189 States parties to guarantee equal rights to women and girls.
It expressed grave concern that the crisis, caused by Member States failing to pay assessed contributions in full and on time, has directly hampered its ability to carry out its mandate.
The Committee said it was forced to cancel one of its three annual sessions in 2025 and may have to cancel at least one session again in 2026.
It warned that cancellations significantly reduce the number of States reviewed under the Convention and limit consideration of individual communications and inquiry requests under the Optional Protocol, resulting in continued violations and restricted access to justice for women and girls.
The statement said States parties failing to pay contributions severely undermine their obligations to respect and ensure women’s and girls’ rights and to respect the Committee’s mandate, as well as their obligations under Article 17 (2) of the UN Charter.
Referring to a warning by Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Committee cited his remarks during the launch of a USD 400 million funding appeal for 2026: “with mounting crises, the world cannot afford a human rights system in crisis”.
The Committee said the financial crisis comes at a time when backlash against women’s and girls’ rights is growing globally, with rising gender-based violence and rollbacks of gains in sexual and reproductive health and rights, political participation and civic freedoms.
It stressed that full implementation of women’s and girls’ rights is a matter of justice and essential to global peace and development, noting that women remain underrepresented in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, political leadership and economic decision-making.
The Committee echoed the call of the UN Secretary-General for Member States to honour their financial commitments or reform financial regulations that require the United Nations to return funds it has never received.
It urged States parties to explore emergency measures to fill the financial gap and ensure the Committee can fully deliver on its mandate.
“We cannot – and will not – give in to the disturbing pushback on the rights of women and girls – half of humanity – and the hard-won gains in equality, participation, and protection.”
“The women and girls of the world are counting on us. We must not fail them. The world needs a functioning and strong CEDAW Committee, said the UN CEDAW Committee.
