Dr. Alaa Murabit, the director of global health advocacy and communications at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is pushing for a broader perspective on women’s healthcare beyond just reproductive rights. She believes that women’s health is crucial for a thriving economy, not just a favor to women.
According to a McKinsey report, by closing the health gap between men and women, the global GDP could see a significant boost by 2040. Murabit has raised $550 million from philanthropists for the Beginnings Fund, a collaborative effort aimed at providing resources and support for women’s health at the country level. This could range from basic medical supplies in some countries to increased investment in research and development on menopause in the U.S.
For Murabit, women’s ability to care for their own bodies is about power. It’s the power to use their bodies as an economic vehicle for themselves, their families, and their communities. It’s the power to use their bodies for political influence.
Murabit is working towards a future where women’s health is seen as a necessary component for global growth and prosperity. By shifting the focus away from just reproductive rights, she hopes to create a world where women have the resources and support they need to lead healthy and empowered lives.