QFFD Co-Hosts High-Level Roundtable on Inclusive Humanitarian Financing for Women and Girls at UNGA81

New York, 24 September 2026 — Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), in partnership with UN Women, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Making Aid Work project at the University of Birmingham, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), co-hosted a high-level roundtable on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, exploring more inclusive, gender-responsive and faith-sensitive approaches to humanitarian financing for women and girls affected by conflict and displacement.
The roundtable brought together diplomats, humanitarian practitioners, policymakers, donors, philanthropic institutions, academics and representatives of women-led organisations to examine how humanitarian financing can better respond to the needs and priorities of women and girls affected by conflict and displacement. Discussions explored the potential of Islamic social finance, faith-sensitive philanthropy and innovative financing mechanisms to expand flexible and trust-based support, strengthen locally led responses, and enable women-led organisations to play a greater role in humanitarian decision-making and delivery.
Participants also examined the barriers facing frontline women-led organisations in accessing resources, building partnerships and participating meaningfully in decision-making. The discussion highlighted the importance of strengthening trust across the humanitarian ecosystem and recognising the knowledge, leadership and proximity of local organisations to the communities they serve. Participants further considered how culturally grounded approaches and stronger collaboration among humanitarian, philanthropic and faith-sensitive financing actors can contribute to more responsive and accountable support for communities affected by crisis.
As part of the discussion, Ms. Rwodah AlNaimi, Director of Investment at QFFD, said: “Addressing financing gaps requires us to look beyond traditional sources of funding and strengthen collaboration among multilateral development banks, public institutions and private sector partners. By bringing together capital, expertise and innovative approaches, we can develop scalable solutions that respond to needs on the ground, mobilise additional resources and deliver lasting impact.”
The roundtable builds on QFFD’s Women in Conflict Zones (WICZ) initiative, which seeks to promote approaches that respond to the priorities and experiences of women and girls affected by conflict and displacement, while recognising their role as agents of change and peace. QFFD remains committed to advancing dialogue, strengthening partnerships and supporting solutions that can mobilise resources and contribute to more effective responses for communities affected by crisis.

• Geography United States
• Timeline 2026