Melinda French Gates to Enhance Global Women’s Health with $215 Million Pledge

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates plans to increase her commitment to improving women’s health around the world. She will donate an additional $215 million to enhance contraceptive access and maternal care, as well as support initiatives focused on middle-aged women, including a deeper exploration of menopause.

This new funding, announced on Thursday, brings French Gates’ contributions to women’s health to over $600 million in the last two years. In an interview with The Associated Press, French Gates emphasized the critical nature of women’s health as a core aspect of her work through Pivotal, her philanthropic organization. She stated, “Women’s health is fundamental. She has to be well to do well in life.”

Since her departure from The Gates Foundation in 2024, French Gates has sharpened her focus on aiding women. This latest funding reflects a strategic concentration on areas she believes lack financial backing. It includes a $40 million donation to Co-Impact for integrating mental health support into maternal and primary care in Africa. Additionally, a $10 million grant to the Menopause Society seeks to improve menopause care in the U.S. by training healthcare professionals and expanding outreach to underserved areas.

Data from the World Economic Forum reveals that, although women constitute half the population, issues that specifically affect them receive only 2% of private healthcare funding. This scarcity has led to a deficit in dedicated products and services. According to French Gates, “The role of philanthropy is to address societal issues that have been overlooked and demonstrate progress to attract more donors and potentially government funding.”

“Part of what I’m doing here, I hope, is sending a signal to say, ‘This is really important. Let’s do something about it.’ And my hope is that I’ll be able to get others who will join me.” – Melinda French Gates

Dr. Stephanie Faubion of The Menopause Society and The Mayo Clinic notes that the U.S. has roughly 6,000 counties with limited access to menopause-competent clinicians. The Menopause Society plans to use the donation to spread its educational resources to more regions in need.

Dr. Faubion stated, “Menopause remains one of the most overlooked areas in medicine. With the support of donors like Pivotal, we’re prepared to make those changes.” Research on menopause treatments has been historically underfunded, a situation worsened by recent cuts to medical research.

French Gates also stressed the importance of bringing awareness to women’s health issues alongside increasing funding. She explained, “I want women’s health issues to not be invisible. I don’t want the default to be that women are expected to deal with pain and suffering.” Her goal is for women’s real-life experiences to be acknowledged and addressed, enabling them to lead their best lives.

The Associated Press acknowledges financial support from Melinda French Gates’ organization, Pivotal, for news coverage related to women in the workforce and statehouses. AP coverage of philanthropy is supported by The Conversation US and Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP retains sole responsibility for this content.