Melinda French Gates has issued a stark warning about the global neglect of women’s health, citing growing “maternity care deserts,” restricted access to abortions, and increasing maternal death rates. Her statement comes as she launches a $250 million initiative aimed at improving women’s physical and mental health worldwide.
Despite medical advancements, women continue to face significant inequities in healthcare, affecting both developed and developing nations. French Gates highlighted that more than 700 women die daily from childbirth complications, a figure she called “unacceptable.” She also emphasized the disproportionate impact of the U.S. abortion bans following the 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade.
French Gates announced her new program, Action for Women’s Health, through her organization, Pivotal. The initiative will provide $250 million in grants to groups focused on enhancing women’s health. The goal is to empower women to take control of their lives by improving access to essential health services.
“More than 1 billion women and girls suffer from malnutrition, and reproductive healthcare is being denied across the U.S. and other countries,” French Gates said. She added that globally, a woman dies in childbirth every two minutes. “This is unacceptable, but there is hope. Innovative organizations are addressing these challenges, and we aim to give them the resources they need to make an even greater impact.”
The initiative invites organizations worldwide, regardless of size or location, to apply for grants of up to $5 million. The effort marks a continuation of French Gates’ commitment to advancing women’s health and power, following her departure from the foundation she co-founded with Bill Gates.
The degradation of women’s health and reproductive rights is a pressing issue worldwide, but French Gates stressed that the upcoming U.S. elections could be pivotal. “There is so much at stake for women and families in this election,” she said, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for her commitment to protecting reproductive rights.
French Gates highlighted the rise of maternal mortality rates and increasing maternity care deserts in the U.S. as pressing concerns, while also acknowledging that women in low- and middle-income countries have long faced similar struggles to access quality healthcare.
The $250 million initiative seeks to support historically underfunded organizations working to improve women’s mental and physical health. Managed by Lever for Change, a nonprofit affiliated with the MacArthur Foundation, the fund aims to scale up the work of community-based groups with deep knowledge of the issues affecting women globally.
“We hope to reach outstanding organizations that have not had access to this level of funding,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. “This initiative will elevate community-driven groups with lived experience, ensuring they receive the resources needed to make lasting changes in women’s health worldwide.”
Related topics:
Unlocking Women’s Health: The Power of All-in-One Multivitamins
