Ahead of an RSA event marking International Women’s Day, The Circle’s CEO discusses the devastating impact of slashed aid budgets, the power of collective action, and what it will take to build a safer world for women and girls.
The international development landscape has rarely faced so many challenges. Western governments are retreating from their aid commitments at speed: the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been dissolved, while the UK is cutting its foreign aid budget from 0.7% of Gross National Income to 0.3% by 2027/28.
For the women and girls who depend on the services these budgets fund, the consequences are already being felt, with lifesaving programmes on maternal health, gender-based violence and reproductive care being shut down.
Raakhi Shah has spent more than 20 years working at the sharp end of this world – at Unicef UK, at Oxfam, and, since 2020, as chief executive of The Circle, the global feminist organisation co-founded by singer and activist Annie Lennox.
The Circle has supported more than 1.5 million people, channelled emergency funding into conflict zones including Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and become an increasingly prominent voice in global advocacy on gender-based violence and economic injustice.
Ahead of a major RSA event on 4 March marking International Women’s Day (IWD), we sat down with Shah to discuss the human cost of the aid crisis, strategies to combat violence against women and girls, and what a genuine commitment to global feminism looks like in practice.
The Make a stand with The Circle event will be chaired by BBC Woman’s Hour presenter Nuala McGovern, with Shah joined on the panel by Delphine Uwamahoro, Founder and Executive Director of the Rwandan non-governmental organisation Our Sisters’ Opportunity, and Ziauddin Yousafzai, Co-Founder of the Malala Fund.
Join us on 4 March at RSA House, or online via the RSA’s YouTube channel, for an International Women’s Day discussion chaired by Nuala McGovern, with Raakhi Shah and Delphine Uwamahoro.
What does it mean to be a global feminist?
The goal of global feminism as defined by acclaimed feminist writer and activist, bell hooks is to: “reach out and join global struggles to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression.” At The Circle, global feminism is our North Star; it also means that we leave no woman behind.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
IWD is a key moment for society to pause and refocus on the fight for women’s rights. It’s a reminder of the progress made and an acknowledgment of the challenges that still exist.
While there have been many wins and advancements, we are still far away from reaching the goal of safety and equality for women and girls. The facts are stark: one in three women will face physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with more than 350 million women and girls projected to be living in extreme poverty by 2030.
IWD is a moment for allies to feel part of a global community of women and girls, each carrying her own story of strength. It’s also a thread back through history, to the generations who fought, marched and endured so that we could stand where we are today. It is a celebration of resilience and connection, and the determination to build a more equal world.
“Real change begins with supporting women’s rights organisations on the frontline – the groups combating violence, challenging inequality, and lifting up those whose voices are too often unheard.”
The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Give to Gain’. What can we all do to make a stand and give to make a difference globally?
The Give to Gain theme reminds us that when we give our time, our voice, our financial support or our solidarity, we help create a safer and fairer world for women and girls everywhere.
At The Circle, we know that real change begins with supporting women’s rights organisations on the frontline – the groups combating violence, challenging inequality, and lifting up those whose voices are too often unheard. By standing with them, we don’t just give, we gain a stronger, more just global community for us all.
Do you think the UK’s recently published Violence Against Women and Girls strategy goes far enough?
It is encouraging to see a much-needed focus on stronger laws, investment in prevention, specialist training and education reforms in the government’s new strategy. These priorities echo what survivors of gender-based violence told us in The Circle’s report, Being Heard: dignity and trauma-informed responses; protection and safety; faster justice; prevention through education; and accountability for perpetrators.
The framework is strong, but the challenge will be turning strategy into action. Significant investment is needed, as is delivery that listens to survivors and mobilises every part of society.
How can we reduce the incidents of violence against women and girls globally?
We all have a role to play. A whole of society and whole of government approach is needed. It means funding frontline services, teaching respect and consent from childhood, challenging harmful attitudes, strengthening laws, and holding perpetrators to account. Most of all, it means every one of us speaking up when we see abuse, believing survivors and supporting them with compassion, and refusing to let misogyny go unchallenged.
You have called on the UK government to protect its aid funding dedicated to preventing gender-based violence overseas. Have you made any progress here?
Our engagement with the British government on this topic continues but we believe that final decisions on the allocation of the aid budget for the coming year have not yet been made. The government has reiterated that combating violence against women and girls at home and abroad remains a priority.
“Aid cuts are dismantling the very systems that keep women and girls safe, hollowing out frontline organisations just when they are needed most.”
What has been the impact of the aid cuts from Western countries?
Aid cuts are dismantling the very systems that keep women and girls safe, hollowing out frontline organisations just when they are needed most.
Western aid cuts have hit women’s rights organisations hardest. Sudden US terminations have shut down lifesaving programmes on maternal health, gender-based violence response and reproductive care across crisis settings, leaving millions of women and girls without essential protection and treatment.
In the UK, repeated reductions to the aid budget have already slashed support for gender equality work, with funding for women’s rights organisations dropping by 66% compared to earlier peaks, severely undermining efforts to combat violence and discrimination worldwide.
Further reductions are expected to weaken women’s access to education, health care and protection services, disproportionately harming the most marginalised women and girls globally.
Why is funding so critical to women’s rights and The Circle?
Without funding, the organisations protecting women and girls simply cannot function. Globally, 90% of women-led organisations have been hit by aid cuts, leading to the suspension of vital services such as refuges, trauma counselling, and the loss of safe spaces for women and girls in crisis settings.
Strong, well-resourced women’s rights movements are one of the most effective drivers of better protections against gender‑based violence, shaping laws, shifting norms, and holding governments to account, but they can only do this with stable funding.
Funding keeps doors open, strengthens movements, and keeps women safe.
What are the main achievements of The Circle since you became CEO?
Since I became CEO in 2020, The Circle has significantly expanded its global impact, supporting women and girls facing violence and economic inequality, strengthening grassroots partners, and amplifying feminist advocacy worldwide.
Key achievements include:
What are the main goals you want to achieve?
By 2028, we aim to:
To meet this ambition, we will continue to listen to our frontline partners and those with lived experience, and partner with those that share our mission, like the RSA.
Annie Lennox is a co-founder of The Circle. Can you tell us about your high-profile supporters?
We are delighted to be working with a wide array of high-profile figures that lend their voice, their expertise and their reach as part of our global feminist network. Annie Lennox continues to champion the work of The Circle as do other co-founders, champions and ambassadors, such as Livia Firth, Melanie Hall KC, Kalpona Akter, Lucy Siegle, Julia Gillard, Skin, Mary Robinson, Brandi Carlisle, V and Barbara Broccoli.
Join us on 4 March at RSA House, or online via the RSA’s YouTube channel, for an International Women’s Day discussion chaired by Nuala McGovern, with Raakhi Shah and Delphine Uwamahoro.
Support the work of The Circle by donating to the IWD appeal Make A Stand for 1 in 3 and help drive lasting change for women and girls.
