The world-renowned philanthropist Melinda French Gates declared that she will be allocating US$1 billion (£782.4 million) to global gender equity and women’s causes over the course of the next two years.Organizations defending women’s and girls’ rights in the US will receive about $200 million (£157 million).Following the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that struck down the constitutional right to an abortion, Ms. French Gates stated in a guest essay for the New York Times that she felt obligated to defend US reproductive rights.Two weeks ago, Ms’ French Gates announced that she would be leaving the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the influential philanthropic organization that she co-founded with her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
“Melinda French Gates will donate US $1 billion towards women’s rights”
Through Pivotal Ventures, her company, the funds will be disbursed until 2026.Before the end of 2026, Ms French Gates intends to donate $20 million (£16 million) to a “diverse group of 12 global leaders” for use in organizations of their choosing.
The business announced that it will donate an additional $250 million (£196 million) to international organizations that support the mental and physical health of women in the fall.In order to “protect the rights of women and advance their power and influence,” Ms. French Gates stated that she selected the first grant recipients who were employed in the US.
The Center for Reproductive Rights, an organization that supports abortion rights and is currently representing fifty women in legal actions against restrictions on abortion and other reproductive health measures in multiple states, is one of the grant recipients.The Center’s chief marketing and communications officer, Joung-ah Ghedini-Williams, stated that the funds are more important than ever. “Reproductive rights and abortion are receiving more attention and public debate than ever before,” Ms. Ghedini-Williams stated. “Donations may not always reflect that, which is why this is so fantastic right now.
