The Gates Foundation has announced a $2.5 billion commitment through 2030 to drive innovation in women’s healthcare. This initiative targets conditions that have long been overlooked and underfunded.

The funding will support 40 innovations across five critical areas: obstetric care, maternal health and nutrition, contraception, gynaecological and menstrual health, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These focus areas were selected based on their potential to save lives, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Despite women making up half the global population, only 1% of healthcare research spending is dedicated to female-specific conditions unrelated to cancer. The foundation highlighted how progress in addressing gynaecological diseases and anxiety disorders has lagged for decades. Cases of these conditions have risen by 11% and 67%, respectively, since the 1990s.

Anita Zaidi, president of the Gender Equality Division at the foundation, emphasised the need for change. She said women’s health issues have been “misunderstood and misdiagnosed for too long.” Bill Gates added that improving women’s health strengthens families, economies, and societies. Furthermore, every dollar invested is expected to generate $3 in economic growth.

The initiative aligns with the foundation’s broader mission to reduce preventable maternal and infant deaths. It could also add $1 trillion annually to the global economy by 2040.

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