Ideas

The latest stories, research, and news from across the foundation

Roseline Oliwa, Lorraine Kai, and Tabitha Musyoka

Meet the Kenyan women making syringes for Africa

For the first time, auto-disable syringes that prevent reuse are being manufactured in Africa. This work is powered by employees who are making tremendous impact, not only by producing these devices, but in their families, communities, and beyond.

Dr. Yaw Bediako, co-founder and CEO of Yemaachi Biotech, poses for a photo at the Yemaachi Biotech lab in Accra, Ghana, on May 7, 2024.

The Ghanaian researcher who came home

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What did Mark Suzman learn in Ethiopia?

By Mark Suzman CEO, Board Member, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

How does a mother’s touch lead to a scientific breakthrough?

For a long time, Peace Alinda informally borrowed money through a friend who had the required collateral to acquire a loan. One development group member Medrine introduced Peace to Sylvia, a FINCA loan officer.With support from FINCA, Peace has invested in a number of ways, one of which is buying food supplies such as millet flour in bulk at harvest time (in December) when it is cheap and sell it at other times of the year when she can command a higher price. She is a businesswoman and a farmer with a wide variety of small investments. She also trades cattle and brokers land in her area.

Designing credit that works for women

By Rohini Pande Professor of Economics, Yale University

Theo Sowa, Dr. Prime Josephine, and Dr. Awa Marie Coll Seck.

Three immunization advocates share why Gavi matters

By Violaine Mitchell Director, Immunization, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Veronica Auma purchases fish from local fishermen on the shore of Lake Victoria in Busia County, Kenya on April 11, 2024.

Creating a care economy that supports women and helps communities thrive

By Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi Incoming CEO & President, African Center for Economic Transformation 

Josephine Kimonyi and her family at her home in Makueni County, Kenya.

The visionary dairy farmer

Anita Zaidi tours the Veerangana Awanti Bai Women Hospital with physician, Kirti Tiwari in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, on November 7, 2023.

Imagine if women’s health had the resources it deserves

By Anita Zaidi President, Gender Equality Division, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Dr. Stellah Bosire, centered, walks with members of the group Feminists for Peace, Rights and Justice Center in Kibera, Kenya.

Supporting women’s health is the key to advancing women’s economic power

By Marie Ba Director, Ouagadougou Partnership Coordination Unit

Jane Waire performs an ultrasound on Faith Nwanza in Mai Mahiu, Kenya.

Ultrasounds in hand, midwives are transforming maternal health

By Rasa Izadnegahdar Director, Maternal, Newborn, Child Nutrition & Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Veronica Fulani, a maternity nurse, measures the fetal heart rate using a Butterfly handheld device during a routine ultrasound in Matsangoni, Kenya.

Could this be a transformative year for women’s health? 

By Ru-fong Joanne Cheng Director, Women’s Health Innovations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Portrait of Bunmi Grace Babalola, owner of a Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendor (PPMV) drug store, in Alimosho, Lagos State, Nigeria, on May 23, 2023.

The capital women need, for the future we all need

By Melinda French Gates Co-chair, Board Member, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Videos

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A user accesses the mDoc website on a smartphone during an outreach program at the Balogun Market in Lagos, Nigeria, on September 14, 2023. mDoc is a social enterprise that integrates proven methodologies in quality improvement and behavioral science with web and mobile-based technology to optimize the end to end care experience for people living with chronic health needs such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

How Nneka Mobisson and mDoc use AI and Large Language Models to drive health equity

Nneka Mobisson’s father believed in the power of technology to save lives in Africa. She’s honoring his memory by using AI to take on inequalities in healthcare.

A scientist uses AI to give Africans control of their health

Darlington Akogo, Founder & CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, discusses how his product can save lives with a “digital doctor.”

Bill Gates with polio survivors and their families.

Bill Gates talks with polio survivors

Why is polio eradication important? On his recent trip to Brussels, Bill Gates sat down with polio survivors and their families (hosted by Jacob Beautemps from Breaking Lab) to learn about their experiences with this preventable disease.