Editor’s Note: Shortly after Harvard Business Review and Melinda Gates launched The Big Idea: Women, Power, and Influence, Gates announced she is pledging $1 billion to fund efforts outlined in her feature article. HBR caught up with Gates about the announcement and what it means to her efforts to radically accelerate progress toward gender equality in the next 10 years.
Melinda Gates Q&A: A Billion Dollars for Gender Equality
The philanthropist is funding women in a big way. Will others follow?
October 04, 2019
Summary.
Women in the U.S. are 208 years away from achieving equality with men at the current pace of change. To accelerate this pace, Melinda Gates pledged $1 billion to fund efforts to dismantle barriers like sexual harassment and a lack of caregiving support; to fast-track the careers of women in key sectors like media, government, and tech; and to amplify external pressure. While capital alone isn’t a panacea, she argues it will help move the needle — especially if others follow her lead in setting and reaching bold goals.
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