About the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and Girls

Who we are 

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and Girls (UN Trust Fund) is the United Nations’ only General Assembly–mandated, UN system-wide, pooled funding mechanism dedicated exclusively to ending violence against women and girls (EVAW/G). 

Established in 1996 as a landmark outcome of the Beijing World Conference on Women, the UN Trust Fund marked the first time the UN formally recognized ending violence against women and girls as a global priority — reflecting the vision of women’s and feminist movements and the commitments of Member States. 

Administered by UN Women on behalf of the UN system, the UN Trust Fund is now a proven, feminist-informed grant-making mechanism that has mobilized over US$250 million and supported 725 initiatives across 140 countries and territories. 

Why it matters 

Violence against women and girls is a global emergency, affecting 1 in 3 women worldwide and undermining health, safety, equality and development.  

Ending violence is essential to achieving gender equality and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Our partners lead solutions that make schools safer, shift harmful norms, strengthen essential services, expand access to justice, and support women and girls across diverse contexts. 

Why women’s organizations 

Women’s organizations are the most effective and trusted drivers of long-term change. Their deep community roots, lived expertise, and survivor-centered approaches allow them to: 

• drive policy and legal reforms, 
• provide specialized support to marginalized groups, 
• challenge harmful social norms,  
• adapt to emerging challenges, and 
• respond quickly in crises. 

Yet they remain chronically underfunded, even as needs rise sharply. Supporting them is not only strategic — it is essential. 

Our impact 

Since its establishment, the UN Trust Fund has provided US$252 million in grants to organizations working at the frontlines of prevention and response. 

In 2024 alone, our partners: 

• reached 7.7 million women and girls, 
• impacted 14.7 million people overall, and 
• provided direct support to 276,500 women and girls.  

Our mission 

To end all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide by: 

• mobilizing and directing high-quality pooled funding across the UN system; 
• principally supporting women’s organizations to prevent and respond to violence; 
• generating evidence, advocating, and convening partners to strengthen a cohesive, accountable and inclusive global response.