ABUJA, Nigeria – The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged £2 billion by 2030 to tackle some of the most underfunded and under-researched conditions affecting women globally—a move expected to revolutionise access to lifesaving care for millions of girls and women in low-income countries.
Announced on Tuesday, the historic investment will target diseases and conditions that have received little attention despite their widespread impact—including menstrual disorders, maternal health, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and menopause.
“Our goal is to help close the data gap in women’s health and improve outcomes where the need is greatest,” said Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the foundation. “When we prioritise women’s health, we transform lives, families, and entire communities.”
Data from the foundation shows that less than 2% of global health research funding currently goes to female-specific conditions not linked to reproduction or childbirth. The new funding will focus heavily on innovation, data collection, and affordable healthcare delivery, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
According to the World Health Organisation, preventable conditions such as anaemia, fibroids, and STIs contribute significantly to lost productivity and premature deaths among women globally—issues rarely addressed in national health budgets or global research priorities.
The Gates Foundation plans to partner with governments, research institutions, and private-sector innovators to develop tools, technologies, and policies that respond to women’s unique needs throughout their lives.
“This is more than funding—it’s a shift in global priorities,” the president of the Gender Equality Division at the foundation, Dr Anita Zaidi said.
As the world approaches 2030 and the deadline for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, advocates hope the move sets a new standard for gender equity in global health.
