Melinda French Gates has announced a new $250 million fund to improve women’s mental and physical health as part of her $1 billion plan to promote women’s rights. The fund, called “Action for Women’s Health,” is through her organization Pivotal Ventures and aims to address the underfunding, oversight, and misunderstanding of women’s health. The fund seeks to support organizations around the world that are working to address barriers to women’s health and provide them with the attention and funding they deserve.
French Gates decision to focus on women’s health and reproductive rights in the US came after the US Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision that allowed individual states to decide on abortion rights. She felt compelled to offer financial support to Americans for their reproductive freedoms, a cause she had previously supported internationally. French Gates emphasized the impact of the overturn of Roe v. Wade, stating that she would like to see the US and other countries never roll back laws related to women’s health in the future.
In a previous endorsement of Kamala Harris for president in a CBS News interview in July, French Gates reiterated her support for the Democratic nominee. She highlighted Harris’ understanding of women’s needs and reproductive rights as reasons for her endorsement. French Gates, who is one of the world’s wealthiest and most prominent philanthropists, resigned from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in June. As part of her divorce agreement with Bill Gates, she received $12.5 billion from the foundation for her work and has since focused her philanthropic efforts on women and girls.
The “Action for Women’s Health” fund aims to support organizations working to address barriers to women’s health and improve mental and physical well-being. In a statement on the fund’s webpage, it is mentioned that health inequities between men and women impact women’s daily lives and futures. French Gates emphasized the importance of supporting organizations that are actively working to improve women’s health and ensure they receive the necessary attention and funding.
French Gates’ decision to focus on women’s health and reproductive rights in the US is a response to the challenges presented by the overturn of Roe v. Wade and the Dobbs decision. She expressed her desire to see laws related to women’s health protected and not rolled back in the US or any other country. Through her philanthropic efforts, French Gates aims to help organizations fighting for women’s rights and ensure they have the resources they need to continue their work.
As a prominent figure in philanthropy and women’s rights advocacy, French Gates’ decision to focus on women’s health and reproductive rights in the US has significant implications. Her support for Kamala Harris and endorsement of her understanding of women’s needs further highlight her commitment to advancing women’s rights. French Gates’ work through the “Action for Women’s Health” fund and her focus on supporting organizations working to improve women’s health demonstrate her dedication to promoting gender equality and reproductive freedoms.
