A UK-funded higher education program, designed to keep one million girls in school across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, has been abruptly cancelled after only two years. The Strengthening Higher Education for Female Empowerment (SHEFE) initiative, launched with a £45 million budget by the previous Conservative government, aimed to increase access to higher education for female students globally. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed the withdrawal of the program’s tender, signaling its termination. Critics attribute the decision to recent aid cuts implemented by the current government. The program's cancellation raises concerns about the UK’s commitment to international development and girls’ education. The move effectively halts efforts to expand educational opportunities for vulnerable girls in several key regions. Further details on the program’s termination and the reasoning behind the decision are expected to be released.