Melinda French Gates Expands Efforts to Enhance Global Women’s Health

Melinda French Gates has announced a significant expansion of her philanthropic work, dedicating an additional $215 million to enhance women’s health worldwide. This funding will focus on increasing access to contraception and maternal care. It will also support initiatives that target middle-aged women, such as advancing research on menopause.

French Gates’ new contributions elevate her total donations for women’s health to over $600 million in the past two years. In a conversation with The Associated Press, French Gates emphasized the importance of women’s health. She stated, “It’s just blaringly obvious that women’s health is fundamental – she has to be well to do well in life.”

Since stepping away from The Gates Foundation in 2024, French Gates has sharpened her focus on supporting women. Her recent funding choices target areas she believes are underfunded. A notable $40 million donation will go to Co-Impact to incorporate mental health support into maternal and primary care, particularly across Africa.

French Gates aims to inspire other philanthropists with her $10 million donation to The Menopause Society. This funding seeks to enhance menopause care in the United States by educating healthcare workers and expanding outreach in underserved areas. Dr. Stephanie Faubion from The Menopause Society highlighted the need for more menopause-competent clinicians, noting that many regions lack access.

Research from the World Economic Forum indicates that, despite women comprising half of the global population, their specific health issues receive only 2% of private healthcare funding. French Gates believes philanthropy plays a role in addressing these gaps. “I hope to signal that this is really important. Let’s do something about it,” she remarked.

Dr. Faubion pointed out that menopause remains overlooked in medicine. “We’re ready to make those changes with the support of donors like Pivotal,” she said. French Gates acknowledges the importance of both funding and the awareness her actions bring. Her goal is to make women’s health issues visible and acknowledged so women can lead their best lives.

The Associated Press receives funding from Melinda French Gates’ organization, Pivotal, for covering women in the workforce and statehouses. The AP also collaborates with The Conversation US, thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc. funding for philanthropy and nonprofits coverage.