USA — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged an impressive US$200 million. The announcement was made during the foundation’s annual Goalkeepers conference, which coincided with the United Nations General Assembly aimed at safeguarding the lives of mothers and children during childbirth.
Melinda French Gates, co-founder, and co-chair of the foundation, introduced herself as “Nona” (grandmother), underscoring the personal significance of the issue.
She expressed her deep commitment to addressing this critical concern that transcends philanthropy. With her oldest daughter, Jennifer, in the audience, the connection between generations became palpable.
The foundation has allocated US$100 million each to two key organizations: health products manufacturer Unitaid and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), responsible for reproductive health.
This generous funding is earmarked to enhance access to healthcare services, contraceptive supplies, and vital health information in low- and middle-income countries.
The Gates Foundation has a longstanding partnership with Unitaid, having previously donated $50 million in both 2012 and 2017, as documented in the foundation’s grant database.
Established in 2017, the Goalkeepers initiative serves as a vital platform for monitoring progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were collectively adopted by United Nations member countries in 2015, with a target to achieve them by 2030.
These goals encompass a wide-ranging agenda, including poverty alleviation, improved healthcare and education, and environmental preservation.
Regrettably, progress toward these goals has faltered significantly, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.
Recognizing the need to reach a broader audience beyond government officials, experts, and policy circles, the foundation hosted an award ceremony in New York, leveraging the influence of social media influencers to amplify its message.
Blessing Omakwu, who spearheads the Goalkeepers initiative, highlighted the importance of making the subject of maternal health accessible to wider audiences.
She emphasized, “My goal is they go back and take these things that we said in a very policy way and make it accessible to their followings and say, ‘Look, this matters. You should care about maternal health.'”
In a poignant moment during the conference, French Gates presented a Lifetime Achievement award to former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
The recognition lauded Carter’s unwavering dedication to eliminating guinea worm disease, among other contributions.
Additionally, musician and activist Bono received a special award for his sustained advocacy for healthcare access in developing nations and his pivotal role in launching the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
PEPFAR, initiated two decades ago by President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress, is credited with saving 25 million lives.
However, its future remains uncertain due to calls from some Republican lawmakers to restrict funding for NGOs providing or promoting abortion services.
Bill Gates, although absent from the award ceremony, spoke passionately about the significance of PEPFAR.
He expressed concerns over the program’s possible cessation, highlighting its ongoing role in providing life-saving medications to millions globally.
Gates asserted that the U.S. should take pride in its contributions to this initiative, despite the current controversies surrounding international aid.
Furthermore, Gates emphasized the foundation’s pivotal role in interventions aimed at preventing infant deaths during the first year of life, a top priority for the organization.
He recounted a poignant visit to a South African clinic, where a grieving mother was approached to participate in a study to determine the specific cause of her baby’s death.
This study, funded by the Gates Foundation, has significantly advanced knowledge regarding infant mortality causes.
The foundation also celebrated exemplary projects aligning with the development goals. These include Eden Tadesse’s platform offering job opportunities to refugees in Ethiopia and Aidan Reilly, Ben Collier, and James Kanoff’s project delivering surplus vegetables and produce to U.S. food banks, preventing wastage.
Ashu Martha Agbornyenty, a midwife from Cameroon and an award recipient, expressed her elation at the recognition.
She called it a victory for midwifery, challenging stereotypes that questioned its relevance. She emphasized how being in New York was a symbol of triumph, standing on a red carpet representing her remarkable journey.
The Gates Foundation’s commitment is echoed by other philanthropic endeavors. The IKEA Foundation pledged US$20 million to support workers and communities transitioning to renewable energy sources in Vietnam, South Africa, and Indonesia.
The Rockefeller Foundation has allocated 75% of its resources over five years to address climate solutions, investing US$1 billion in grant funds. The Clinton Global Initiative has adopted gender equity as a foundational pillar of its work.
The Gates Foundation’s focus on tackling hunger and promoting climate-resilient crops in recent years, however, has faced criticism from farming groups and researchers, citing potential conflicts with environmental conservation efforts.
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