Bill Gates Former Wife, Melinda, is giving out $1bn for Women Rights Across the World
Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates revealed her commitment to donating $1 billion over the next two years to support women’s causes and gender equity globally. Approximately $200 million will be allocated to organizations in the US that advocate for gender and reproductive rights. This decision follows a recent Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that overturned the constitutional right to abortion, prompting Ms. French Gates to take action.
The announcement comes shortly after her decision to step back from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which she co-founded with her former husband, Bill Gates. The funds will be distributed through her company, Pivotal Ventures, until 2026. Ms. French Gates also plans to provide $20 million to a diverse group of 12 global leaders to distribute to organizations of their choice by the end of 2026. An additional $250 million will be set aside in the autumn to support global organizations focused on women’s mental and physical health.
Ms. French Gates emphasized the importance of protecting women’s rights and advancing their influence, stating that underfunding this cause has consequences for everyone. She expressed concern that her granddaughter may have fewer rights in the future if action is not taken. One of the grant recipients is the Center for Reproductive Rights, which advocates for abortion rights and represents women in legal battles against restrictive reproductive health measures in various states.
The National Domestic Workers Alliance, an organization that advocates for millions of domestic workers in the United States, has also been awarded a grant. According to Ai-jen Poo, the president of the organization, the grant not only provides significant assistance through its flexible terms and multi-year security, but it also sends a powerful message. Poo emphasizes that by boldly investing in women, it raises the question of why such support has not been provided earlier. She highlights the fact that women make up more than half of the workforce, half of the electorate, and are responsible for 70% of the care work in our communities and families, making this support long overdue. SOURCE: BBC.COM
