“Progress in the conditions of women and girls is under attack”. Melinda French Gates is founding her own foundation.

“Progress for women and girls is under attack and the world can do much more to address it. Those are two immutable facts right now,” Melinda French Gates tells us exclusively. The philanthropist has just launched her own entity, Pivotal Ventures, two weeks ago unexpectedly leaving the fund she started 25 years ago with her husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, from whom she split. the richest men in the world.

In the context of the decline of abortion rights in the United States, the billionaire wants to strengthen his commitment to the rights of women and girls in his country and the rest of the world. For this reason, he announces that he will donate one billion dollars out of 12.5 billion available to his foundation. “People and organizations doing the most important work for women’s and girls’ rights around the world are constantly under-resourced,” she said. Madame Figaro.

The money will be distributed in three parts. 200 million dollars will be allocated through grants to associations protecting women’s rights in the United States, including reproductive freedom. The other part, $240 million, will be allocated to the partnership with the group of 12 leaders. Each will receive $20 million to distribute to NGOs whose work they deem essential. Among them are Jacinda Ardern, the former prime minister of New Zealand and an ardent climate defender, or Richard W. Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, who fights for gender equality. Finally, $250 million will be dedicated to women’s mental and physical health through an initiative to launch next fall. Struggle Melinda French Gates concludes by confiding in us the essence of her project. “I hope this step towards change will allow them to finally reach their full potential to change the world of women and girls.”