Gates Foundation announces $2.5bn funding for research on women’s health in low-income countries

The Gates Foundation has announced a $2.5 billion commitment through 2030 to accelerate research and development focused specifically on women’s health.

The funding will support over 40 innovations in five critical but historically underfunded areas, with a strong emphasis on improving outcomes for women in low- and middle-income countries.

The five areas are obstetric care and maternal immunisation, maternal health and nutrition, gynaecological and menstrual health, contraceptive innovation, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The foundation selected these areas based on evidence showing the most significant potential for lives saved and improved, and input from women in low- and middle-income countries about their health needs and challenges.

In a statement on Monday, the foundation said areas such as gynaecological and menstrual health, obstetric care, contraceptive innovation, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) solutions (including HIV PrEP for women), and maternal health and nutrition receive limited investment.

“Critical issues like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, and menopause, which together affect hundreds of millions of women, remain deeply under-researched,” the statement reads.

Anita Zaidi, president of the foundation’s gender equality division, said for too long, women have suffered from health conditions that are misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or ignored.

“We want this investment to spark a new era of women-centred innovation—one where women’s lives, bodies, and voices are prioritised in health R&D,” she said.

“This is the largest investment we’ve ever made in women’s health research and development, but it still falls far short of what is needed in a neglected and underfunded area of huge human need and opportunity.

“Women’s health is not just a philanthropic cause—it’s an investable opportunity with immense potential for scientific breakthroughs that could help millions of women. What’s needed is the will to pursue and follow through.”

Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, underlined the far-reaching impact of investing in women’s health.

“It leads to healthier families, stronger economies, and a more just world,” he said.

“Yet women’s health continues to be ignored, underfunded, and sidelined. Too many women still die from preventable causes or live in poor health. That must change. But we can’t do it alone.”

The foundation implored governments, philanthropists, private investors, and the healthcare industry to co-invest in developing women’s health solutions and ensure these innovations are accessible to those who need them most.