Pivotal Ventures, led by Melinda French Gates, has announced the launch of a $250 million initiative called "Action for Women’s Health." This global open call, managed by Lever for Change, is part of French Gates’ $1 billion commitment to advancing women’s rights over the next two years. The fund aims to address the critical health inequities affecting women’s physical and mental well-being, seeking to create lasting change in healthcare access and outcomes worldwide.
Why Funding for Women’s Health is Urgent and Overdue
For far too long, women’s health has been underfunded and misunderstood. Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health compared to men, yet they still face significant barriers to quality healthcare. Globally, nearly 800 women die daily from preventable pregnancy-related complications, and more than 1 billion women and girls suffer from malnutrition. Conditions like chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, and mental health disorders often go undiagnosed or untreated due to gender biases in medicine.
Melinda French Gates highlighted these challenges in a recent interview, pointing to the need for more attention and resources to improve women’s health outcomes. This initiative is a call to action for organizations worldwide to step up and be part of the solution.
How the "Action for Women’s Health" Fund is Poised to Drive Change
The $250 million fund aims to support innovative solutions that can close the health equity gap for women. The initiative will target areas where women's health is most at risk, focusing on reproductive rights, maternal health, mental health, and other chronic conditions. By empowering organizations dedicated to scaling their work and centering equity in their approach, the fund seeks to spark meaningful change that goes beyond temporary fixes.
“We hope that this open call will be a catalyst for future change, leading to more funding, partnerships, and scalable models,” said Haven Ley, Pivotal Ventures’ Chief Strategy Officer.
Expanding Support for Reproductive Rights in the Post-Dobbs Era
The announcement comes in the context of significant changes to reproductive rights in the United States. Following the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, French Gates expressed a renewed commitment to supporting reproductive health domestically, in addition to her ongoing work overseas. She believes that reversing legal protections for women’s health could have devastating long-term impacts, emphasizing the importance of defending reproductive rights and expanding access to healthcare.
What the Fund Means for Chronic Pelvic Pain and Other Overlooked Health Issues
Conditions such as chronic pelvic pain, fibroids, and menopause have historically been under-researched and underfunded. The "Action for Women’s Health" fund aims to change that by investing in organizations working to improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes for these and other neglected health concerns. The goal is to ensure that women receive the comprehensive, quality care they need at every life stage.
How to Apply for the "Action for Women’s Health" Fund
Organizations worldwide that have a track record of improving women’s mental or physical health and can scale their efforts to impact more women are invited to apply. Eligible applicants must register by December 3, 2024, and submit their applications by January 10, 2025.
Visit Lever for Change's website for more information on eligibility and application details.
The selection process will include an administrative review, followed by participatory and external evaluation rounds. Awardees will be announced by the end of 2025, with flexible grants ranging from $1 million to $5 million.
Why Now is the Time to Invest in Women’s Health
As French Gates emphasizes, investing in women's health has ripple effects that benefit families, communities, and economies. By addressing the longstanding barriers and funding gaps, the "Action for Women's Health" initiative aims to not only improve women’s daily lives but also enhance their futures.
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