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Melinda French Gates Voices Concerns Over Lack of Funding for Women’s Rights
In a potent column published on Tuesday, Melinda French Gates made a subdued critique of her ex-spouse, Bill Gates, for not committing more funds to women’s rights. French Gates affirmed her new philanthropic organisation would channel $1 billion towards women’s rights causes over the next two years.
Melinda’s New Charitable Commitments
French Gates, who recently withdrew from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation taking a $12.5 billion settlement, suggested her support for such causes had been hampered in the past. In her post-divorce life, French Gates detailed plans to allocate $1 billion in donations to causes that advance the rights of women, families, and reproductive rights.
While French Gates has championed women and girls for nearly two decades, she voiced her frustrations over the reluctance to discuss gender equality, particularly amongst male world leaders. She criticized the global agenda for neglecting these issues when other matters arise.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Contributions
Throughout its existence since 2000, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has contributed $77 billion in donations. In the past year alone, the Foundation committed a $2.1 billion contribution to advance gender equality worldwide.
Despite these contributions, French Gates characterized the overall lack of funding for women-directed organizations as insufficient. She emphasized the shocking disparity in the U.S charitable giving landscape, stating that merely 2% goes to groups focused on women and girls, and only half a percentage point is allocated to organizations that specifically cater to women of color.
Details about Pivotal Venture
French Gates’ new charity group, Pivotal Venture, plans to bridge this funding gap. The funding includes $200 million in grants for U.S-based groups working to protect and advance the rights of women, per her essay and a Pivotal Venture press release.
Several contributing factors sparked French Gates’ actions, including high maternal mortality rates, lack of national paid family leave, and rising mental health issues among teenage girls.
Grants to Various Organizations
Her philanthropic endeavors also encompass giving grants to organizations like the National Women’s Law Center, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and the Center for Reproductive Rights. She envisions leveling the playing field, as many organizations fighting for women’s rights have been put on the back foot due to scant financial resources.
Furthermore, French Gates gifted twelve individuals, each a $20 million grant-making fund, allowing them complete autonomy in the utilization of those funds. Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, U.S Olympian Allyson Felix, and filmmaker Ava DuVernay are among the recipients.
Future Initiatives
A new $250 million initiative set to kick off this fall aims to enhance the mental and physical health of women and girls worldwide. French Gates hopes to empower grass-roots organizations that are often overlooked by significant funders.
In the aftermath of French Gates’ exit from the Gates Foundation, Bill Gates assumed the role of sole chairperson, and the foundation will be rebranded as the Gates Foundation. Despite her departure, Gates is confident that his ex-wife will continue to make a significant impact in her philanthropic pursuits.
On Personal Matters
Their separation announcement in 2021 was followed by French Gates’ statement expressing that their marriage had become irreparably damaged. The recent divorce unfolded against the backdrop of scrutiny directed towards Bill Gates for his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
French Gates admitted her discomfort over Bill Gates’ meetings with Epstein and conveyed that it contributed to their eventual divorce. The connection was seen as a validation of Epstein’s actions, which was an error of judgment acknowledged by Gates in a 2022 interview.
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