Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of the Gates Foundation, has unveiled a new $250 million global initiative aimed at addressing critical gaps in women’s healthcare worldwide. In light of alarming issues, including the rise in “maternity care deserts,” surging maternal deaths, and limited access to reproductive health services, French Gates aims to drive systemic change for women’s physical and mental health. The initiative, announced through her organization, Pivotal, will fund grants for women-focused healthcare organizations around the world.
In an interview with The Guardian, French Gates emphasized the severity of the global women’s healthcare crisis, noting that despite medical advancements, many women continue to live longer in poor health. “More than 700 women die from childbirth every day,” she said, highlighting how access to essential healthcare remains a challenge for millions, regardless of their country’s wealth.
A crisis exacerbated by policy and access issues
The healthcare crisis for women has worsened in the wake of the 2022 US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which stripped federal protections for abortion rights. French Gates noted that this has left many women in the U.S. without access to essential reproductive healthcare and underscored the importance of the upcoming U.S. elections, which she views as pivotal for women’s rights. “There is so much at stake for women and families in this election,” she said, emphasizing the need for leadership committed to protecting women’s reproductive rights.
French Gates expressed her support for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been vocal about safeguarding reproductive rights. “With Roe overturned, women have been denied emergency care, maternal mortality rates have risen, and maternity care deserts are increasing,” she warned. “These issues are not limited to the U.S. – women in low- and middle-income countries have faced similar struggles for years.”
Launch of the action for women’s health initiative
The newly launched Action for Women’s Health initiative represents a significant step forward in French Gates’ ongoing commitment to women’s health and empowerment. Through Pivotal, her organization dedicated to driving progress on gender equity, the initiative will grant up to $5 million per project to organizations tackling women’s health issues.
“To fully exercise power over their lives, women need to be mentally and physically healthy. And yet, women’s health is being neglected everywhere,” French Gates said. “More than one billion women and girls suffer from malnutrition. Reproductive healthcare is being denied in the U.S. and other countries. And globally, a woman dies in childbirth every two minutes.”
The $250 million commitment is part of a broader $1 billion pledge from French Gates over the next two years, aimed at supporting organizations fighting for women’s rights and family well-being worldwide. This follows a previous billion-dollar commitment in 2019 to empower women globally.
A call for community-driven solutions
French Gates’ new initiative invites organizations of all sizes and locations to apply for funding, emphasizing the importance of community-driven solutions with proven impact in women’s health. “This is unacceptable, but there is reason for hope. Organizations around the world are taking innovative approaches to addressing these challenges, and this open call is about getting them the resources they need to scale up and reach as many people as possible,” she said.
Eligible projects must demonstrate a track record of improving women’s mental or physical health and have the potential to expand their impact with additional funding. The initiative is managed by Lever for Change, a nonprofit affiliate of the MacArthur Foundation, dedicated to supporting community-led efforts addressing complex social challenges.
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Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change, praised the initiative’s focus on reaching underfunded groups with “deep lived experience” in the issues they tackle. “With this new open call, we hope to reach even more outstanding organizations in communities that have not had access to this kind of funding. Action for Women’s Health will lift up community-informed groups around the world,” Conrad said.
A vision for the future of women’s health
French Gates’ vision for the future of women’s health is ambitious yet hopeful. Despite the formidable challenges facing women’s healthcare globally, she believes there is a path forward, fueled by the dedication and resilience of grassroots organizations. “No matter where you are in the world, women’s health is foundational to the health of a broader society,” she said. “There are so many amazing organizations working to improve women’s health, and this call is about getting them the funding they need and making sure women everywhere can access the care they deserve.”
As French Gates embarks on this new initiative, she aims to ensure that women’s health issues are no longer sidelined, advocating for comprehensive care that addresses physical and mental well-being. With this funding, she hopes to empower community-focused organizations that are uniquely positioned to make lasting change for women around the world. Through Action for Women’s Health, French Gates seeks not only to address immediate healthcare needs but to catalyze systemic change that will benefit women and families for generations to come.
