Over 80 organizations are set to receive grants totaling $250 million from Melinda French Gates. This funding aims to support women’s mental and physical health around the globe.
Backed by Pivotal and Lever for Change, these grants range from $1 million to $5 million through the Action for Women’s Health initiative launched in 2024. Notably, over 65% of the awardees are community-based organizations operating in their home countries, especially in regions like West Africa, Central America, and Melanesia.
The funding will tackle pressing issues identified by these communities. Key focus areas include reproductive health services for rural areas, access to mental health care, and maternal health. Experts emphasize that addressing these issues is crucial not just for individual well-being but for the overall health of communities.
Melinda French Gates remarked, “I want to see women everywhere making decisions, controlling resources, and shaping policies—but women can’t do well unless they can be well.” Her vision underscores the importance of women’s health in driving broader societal progress. Recent surveys indicate that improving women’s health leads to increased economic participation and community engagement, highlighting the far-reaching benefits of such investments.
If you want to explore the complete list of grant recipients, check out the Lever for Change website.
According to a 2023 report from the World Health Organization, access to mental health care remains a significant challenge for women worldwide, with nearly one in three women reporting mental health issues at some point in their lives. This grants initiative aims to change that narrative, providing necessary resources to empower women and improve their health outcomes.
This funding is seen as a pivotal step toward ensuring that women’s health needs are prioritized and adequately addressed, offering hope for sustainable change in societies around the world.
