Melinda Gates explains why she left Gates Foundation. Set to launch charitable organization for gender equality

In an essay published in the 'New York Times', Melinda Gates who is the ex-wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates revealed that she will be starting her charitable organization with a visible focus on gender equality. In the essay, Melinda Gates sets out her priorities and reasons for starting her charitable organization even as she explains her reasons for stepping down from the Bill Gates Foundation.

Details
Earlier, this month, Ms Gates stepped down from her position in the Bill Gates Foundation. The 59-year-old philanthropist revealed that she would receive $12.5 billion as part of the deal from her ex-husband Bill Gates.


In the editorial, she revealed that she was leaving the organization as she sought to focus on her specific agenda. She seeks to make gender equality, a top priority of her upcoming organization.

Gender equality
She stated that she has been an advocate for women and girls for the past 20 years and the concept of gender equality has always received less priority or has been sidelined in many cases. She has attributed the lack of finance as an important reason why gender equality has always remained in the background.

Roe Wade judgment
Citing the Roe Wade judgment of the US court on the issue of abortion, she rued how women of the current generation are facing challenges in enforcing their rights as compared to the previous generation. This judgment empowered the states to curb abortions. It is something being seen as a step against women's rights.

Out of the 12.5 billion she will be receiving, she said that she will be donating $1 billion to the National Women’s Law Centre, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Centre for Reproductive Rights. This may ensure that the judgment could be reviewed based on research and evidence being presented to the judiciary.

Melinda Gates is also offering $20 million to 12 people to do as they wish. This includes former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and various other Afghan women's rights activists.

FAQs:

1. When did Bill and Melinda Gates divorce each other?
It was reported by the media that the couple divorced each other in August 2021. This was caused by to irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

2. What is the net worth of the Gates Foundation?
The private charitable organization has a net worth of $75.2 billion. This is as of December 2023.