Melinda French Gates announced a new $250 million fund called “Action for Women’s Health” through her organization Pivotal Ventures to improve women’s mental and physical health. The fund addresses the underfunding, oversight, and misunderstanding of women’s health, stating that inequities between men and women impact daily lives and futures. Interested organizations can apply to receive a share of the funding to help address the barriers to women’s health.
French Gates was compelled to offer financial support for reproductive freedoms in the US after the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision allowed individual states to decide abortion rights. This decision prompted her to shift her focus from supporting reproductive rights internationally to supporting them domestically. She expressed a desire to help level the playing field for organizations fighting for women’s rights and ensure that progress is not impeded by lack of resources.
In a new interview with Bloomberg, French Gates highlighted the devastating impacts of Roe v. Wade being overturned and emphasized the importance of safeguarding laws related to women’s health. She expressed a desire for the US and other countries to never roll back laws related to women’s health, indicating her commitment to advocating for women’s reproductive rights. French Gates spoke out about her support for Kamala Harris, citing the stark contrasts in understanding women’s needs and the importance of having leaders who prioritize women’s rights.
French Gates, one of the world’s wealthiest and most prominent philanthropists, resigned from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in June after more than two decades. As part of her divorce agreement with Bill Gates, she received $12.5 billion from the foundation for her work and decided to focus her philanthropic efforts on women and girls. Her advocacy for women’s health and reproductive rights continues to be a central focus of her philanthropic work, with a specific emphasis on supporting organizations working to improve women’s mental and physical health. French Gates remains committed to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls around the world through her philanthropic initiatives.
