Unlocking Gender Equality and Nutrition: Funding Solutions, Resources, and Change

Creating a healthy future means tackling nutrition—and in doing so, tackling gender inequality. This year, the foundation’s Goalkeeper’s Report highlighted some devastating news: Globally, 400 million children lack the nutrients they need to grow and reach their full potential. This issue is not unique to one country—and it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Regardless of a nation’s wealth, malnutrition impacts communities around the world—and it’s further exacerbated by climate change. I so often see the consequences of this harsh reality for women and children, who experience the impacts of malnutrition most and most profoundly.  

Pregnant women and their children are more likely to be malnourished and experience long-term consequences. When a mother doesn’t have the nutrients she needs, it doesn’t just affect her health—it affects the health of her baby. This leads to intergenerational impacts and means that too often, children aren’t starting off with the proper nourishment and fuel they needed to develop to their full potential. Last week’s #Goalkeepers2030 event and #UNGA79 came amid so many global challenges. It was an especially important moment to be able to connect, listen, and learn from partners and individuals working to address these key issues. 

So how can we solve malnutrition and gender inequality? The answer is simple: Fund the solutions and make the resources available. These issues are interconnected—and by supporting women’s economic power, and access to adequate nutrition, healthcare, and tools, real progress can happen.  

Securing women’s access to healthcare and nutrition unlocks economic opportunity and power—and when women have economic power, they can achieve big things for their families and communities. Last week, I spent time listening to and chatting with experts like Marie Ba, Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, Dr. Jemimah Njuki, and Dr. Stellah Wairimu Bosire about why this link between women’s health and economic power is so critical. When women are healthy, they can finish school, enter the workforce, and pursue their dreams—which means healthier families, communities, and economies. By increasing access to affordable capital, child and elder care, and digital public infrastructure (DPI), we can make it easier for women to be active participants in their economies and societies. This leads to healthier, stronger communities around the globe.  

One big gap in women’s health—and one too often overlooked—is the impact of lead on pregnant women and their babies. The stark reality is that 94% of lead’s burden is concentrated in LMICs. 

Mothers and children in LMICs already face a higher burden of mortality and morbidity—and lead exposure affects them disproportionately, too. In fact, 1 in 2 children living in an LMIC has high levels of lead in their blood. Right now, there is a clear need for more research on maternal and neonatal outcomes, including anemia, low birth weight (LBW), and neurodevelopment—all of which are impacted by exposure to lead.

During this year’s meetings, I was proud to share that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is investing up to $20M to deepen data and understanding of lead in maternal and newborn outcomes. And $10M of this investment is going directly to Open Philanthropy 's Lead Exposure Action Fund (LEAF), which targets funds that address lead exposure in LMICs. I spoke about this on a panel with USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Aliko Dangote, and Alexander Berger. We delved into the gaps in lead research and explored potential solutions to minimize the harm caused by this lethal poison. Our new partnership and investments will work to address some of these gaps—and fund the solutions. You can watch the full panel here. 

I was also energized by the conversations that took place around family planning and reproductive health. It was a privilege to co-host an event on behalf of the foundation with FP2030, UNFPA, and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation for a discussion on sustainable financing for sexual and reproductive health (SRH). And it was thrilling to see $350M committed at the event for family planning and sexual and reproductive health supplies and services.  

Investing in women’s health and family planning has powerful ripple effects. Family planning pays off and pays forward. There’s evidence to back this, too: Every dollar spent on family planning yields more than $8 in other socioeconomic benefits. The foundation is committed to closing this gap and unleashing women’s power—so that they can live as they, not others, choose. Earlier this year, we finalized a $100M, multi-year commitment to UNFPA Supplies. We’re now collaborating with the European Investment Bank, UNFPA, and the European Commission to increase access to family planning in LMICs.  

By now, it should be clear: Women can’t do well if they can’t be well. Making investments in areas like maternal and neonatal outcomes, family planning, and reproductive tools means that women can lead healthier lives for themselves and their families. However, these investments alone aren’t enough. We also need leaders who have the passion and dedication to take action to expand opportunities for women and ensure they have these tools to begin with. 

And, we need to work together – the challenges are bigger than any one organization or solution could solve. That’s why it was so wonderful to join leaders in the gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights spaces during our first Family Planning Strategic Advisory meeting. I’m excited that we brought together a diverse group of leaders to help inform our work and make sure that the work of the Gates Foundation and the broader sexual and reproductive health community is as strong and impactful as it can be moving forward. 

I’ll end by sharing some words from Tsitsi Masiyiwa that stuck with me from the week: “Philanthropy is love. It is love for people—all of humanity.” This encapsulates what fuels the efforts of the Goalkeepers community.  

Whether we’re working to end child malnutrition or increase women’s economic power, we are all driven by the same goal: ensuring that everyone, everywhere, no matter their background, is able to live life with dignity and every opportunity to thrive. This is what drives my work at the foundation and it’s why I continue to work so hard to create a better world for all women and girls. I am proud to work alongside so many others who are filled with that same drive. Though there is much work to do, I feel confident that after meeting and speaking with so many of our world’s most inspiring leaders and advocates, a more equal future is in sight.  

One advocate I’d like to shout out: Zahra Hoodbhoy, one of our ten Goalkeepers champions who is an alum and researcher at my alma mater Aga Khan University (AKU). I am so proud of her work in maternal nutrition and everything she is doing for women and girls. You can read more about Zahra and our incredible Goalkeepers champions here.    

Finally, one last photo for good measure—pretending to fit in with the real New Yorkers on the subway! Until next time, NYC! 🍎🗽