The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has unveiled a landmark $2.5 billion investment to drive forward women’s health innovation globally. The funding, which will be distributed through to 2030, is aimed at accelerating research and development across key areas of women’s health that have long been overlooked and underfunded, especially in low- and middle-income nations.

The foundation’s announcement marks the largest investment in women’s health R&D in its history. It will support the development and advancement of over 40 targeted innovations across five major health areas: obstetric care and maternal immunisation, maternal health and nutrition, menstrual and gynaecological health, contraceptive options, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) solutions.

“For too long, women have suffered from health conditions that are misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or ignored,” said Dr. Anita Zaidi, president of the Gates Foundation’s Gender Equality Division. “We want this investment to spark a new era of women-centered innovation—one where women’s lives, bodies, and voices are prioritized in health R&D.”

Despite the significant burden these health issues place on women, global funding continues to fall short. A 2021 analysis by McKinsey & Company revealed that a mere 1% of healthcare R&D goes towards female-specific conditions outside of oncology. High-impact conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, menopause, endometriosis, and heavy menstrual bleeding remain under-researched, leaving millions without effective diagnosis or treatment.

“Investing in women’s health has a lasting impact across generations. It leads to healthier families, stronger economies, and a more just world,” said Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation. “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 is calling on other stakeholders, governments, private sector actors, philanthropists, and investors, to co-invest in advancing women’s health. It encourages collaboration not only in funding but also in shaping innovative pipelines and ensuring that successful products reach the women and girls who need them most.

“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,” said Zaidi. “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.”

A key component of the initiative is a focus on innovations designed to address gaps across a woman’s entire lifespan. These include:

• Obstetric care and maternal immunisation – improving safety in pregnancy and childbirth
• Maternal health and nutrition – promoting healthier outcomes for mothers and newborns
• Gynaecological and menstrual health – developing better diagnostic tools and treatment pathways
• Contraceptive innovation – introducing more accessible and acceptable contraceptive solutions
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – enhancing diagnostic and treatment options

Specific areas being explored include the vaginal microbiome, pioneering treatments for preeclampsia, and non-hormonal contraceptive options. Funding will also cover data collection and advocacy to support uptake once solutions are validated.

The priority areas were identified based on medical evidence, input from women in low- and middle-income countries, and the disproportionately high rates of misdiagnosis tied to insufficient training and understanding in these fields. They are also reflective of systemic challenges in low-resource settings, making them ripe for both innovation and scale.

“We see the consequences of underinvestment in women’s health innovation every day when women suffer needlessly, and sometimes lose their lives, because of the gaps in how we understand and treat conditions that uniquely affect them,” said Dr. Bosede Afolabi, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. “This commitment brings much-needed attention to the health challenges women face in places where resources are most limited and the burden is highest. It reflects a recognition that women’s lives—and the innovations that support them—must be prioritized everywhere.”

The investment is not only aimed at improving health outcomes but also unlocking wider socio-economic benefits. Research indicates that each dollar invested in women’s health yields a threefold return in economic growth. Moreover, eliminating the gender health gap could add up to $1 trillion to the global economy annually by 2040.

This initiative is closely aligned with the Gates Foundation’s broader 2045 goals: to end preventable maternal and child deaths, eliminate deadly infectious diseases for future generations, and lift millions out of poverty. The foundation’s legacy in maternal and child health spans 25 years, and this new commitment builds upon that foundation. It complements existing efforts to expand access to essential health products such as the HPV vaccine and other women’s health supplies.

About the Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.