President of Gender Equality at
@gatesfoundation
. Pediatrician improving child health through vaccine development. Advocate for women & girls everywhere.
The easiest way to put a smile on my face? Two words: gender equality.
I recently had the chance to connect with
@gatesfoundation
partners in London about the global value of prioritizing gender equality in all our work.
On International Women’s Day, join me in celebrating some of the inspiring women who made
#COVID19
vaccines possible. Know their names and the work they’ve done to get us to this point. Drumroll please...🥁
#IWD2021
I'm excited and humbled to become the first president of Gender Equality
@gatesfoundation
. I’m ready to continue important work with our partners to break down the barriers that women and girls face at home, in the economy and in society
#equalisgreater
Broader geographic distribution of vaccine manufacturing capacity—and the infrastructure to support it—will be critical to achieving vaccine equity. I’m hopeful that we're moving closer to a world where everyone is protected from preventable diseases.
After four decades, researchers may have finally made a breakthrough on a drug to treat endometriosis, a debilitating gynecological condition that impacts 1 in 10 women.
This is proof that funding in R&D ensures a healthier world for women everywhere.
As a little girl I dreamed of being a doctor. Helping people brought me joy. Looking back, I would like to tell that little girl not to hold back, and that it’s okay to be ambitious—and a nerd!
#ThisLittleGirlisMe
#DayoftheGirl
As a pediatrician, mothers regularly asked me for contraception at the children's health clinic. Unfortunately, we didn't offer it at the time.
#FamilyPlanning
must be available where women are, when they ask for it. That's why integration into primary health care is key.
#UHC
I am saddened by the passing of one of my heroes, Dr. Ruth Bishop. Her discovery of rotavirus enabled
@gatesfoundation
&
@gavi
to develop life-saving vaccines. Today, millions of children are alive thanks to Dr. Bishop’s tireless work.
Anita was inducted into the National Academy of Medicine today. More or less the pinnacle of the medical profession in the United States. She’s the first
@AKUGlobal
alum to make the cut.
@AKUAANA
@theNAMedicine
As a doctor, I’ve seen how access to reproductive healthcare—including abortion—can save and change lives. Limiting safe abortion access will worsen inequities in the US, disproportionately impacting communities of color, Black & Indigenous communities, & low-income communities.
At the
@ICFP2022
opening ceremony, I am proud to share the stage with leaders from around the world and to reiterate the
@gatesfoundation
's $1.4 billion commitment to family planning over five years.
It's an incredible honor to be elected as a member of
@theNAMedicine
, but an even greater honor to be named alongside some of the smartest minds in medicine today—including my
@gatesfoundation
colleague
@jennifergardy
. Congratulations to all elected!
If you learn one new name today, make it Dr. Kati Kariko's. Her tireless work on mRNA vaccines over decades laid the groundwork for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Hi everyone 👋 I'm Erin (
@Global_ErinH
), a Senior Program Officer on the gender equality team. I came to
@gatesfoundation
in 2017 to help build our 1st ever gender advocacy strategy, and it's been an honor to be a part of this team and watch our work grow and evolve ever since!
It’s one of my favorite days of the year… Happy
#InternationalWomensDay
!
#IWD23
is a day to reflect on the work of women throughout history and the work that continues today. It’s also a day to celebrate the women in your own life—like your mom, your sister, or your friends.
To say it’s an honor is an understatement. I’m feeling very grateful, proud, and deeply humbled to have been inducted into
@theNAMedicine
(and alongside my
@gatesfoundation
colleague
@jennifergardy
!). Thank you to everyone for the kind messages of support.
I'm proud of
@WHO
colleague
@RajivBahlMD
for undertaking this complex study to prove that even very sick premature newborns are better off being very close to their mother with higher survival rates. This should be the practice everywhere.
Can you see what all these photos have in common?
Worldwide, women are facing the impossible task of managing child care, household chores, and work. This is why child care must be addressed as part of
#COVID19
recovery and beyond.
#IWD2021
📣📣I’m excited to announce this RFP which will fund up to up to 24 projects for women's health R&D over the course of 2 years ($150,000/project). If you are a researcher with a bold idea – or know one – I encourage you to apply. 📣📣
Innovation is urgently needed to improve women's health and close gender gaps in research & science.
That’s why the foundation is launching a new request for proposals to kickstart work to address gaps in women’s health in research & development.
#IEF
Too many women die from cervical cancer because they lack access to treatment & screening. I am thrilled that the
@WHO
is now recommending a single-dose regimen for the HPV vaccine. This will deliver life-saving aid to so many women around the world.
Promoting Women Leaders In Global Health is a huge priority for me and for the
@gatesfoundation
. So proud to support this impressive gathering in 🇷🇼to recognize and advocate for women working in health.
#WLGH19
Typhoid is a deadly disease that sickens so many children globally. I applaud Nepal for introducing a vaccine to protect its children against typhoid. Now, kids can grow up protected & ready to reach their full potential.
#TakeOnTyphoid
With new commitments from the private sector and
@gavi
support, 84 million girls will have access to HPV vaccines in low-income countries. This increased supply will have a profound effect on women and girls’ health, preventing up to 1.4 million deaths.
I’ll miss working with Melinda, but I take solace in knowing that gender equality will remain a priority for the Gates Foundation. Bill, Mark, my colleagues, my teams, and I remain committed to our mission, our partners, and the work.
Today
@MelindaGates
announced her decision to resign from her role as Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to focus on the next chapter of her philanthropy. Her last day of work at the foundation will be June 7.
I truly admire Melinda, and the critical role she has
Rolling into the International Conference on Family Planning today. So excited to spend this week connecting with and learning from the family planning community.
#ICFP2022
Come join us at the
@gatesfoundation
in the Gender Equality Division and our Global Health Program. All of these roles are dedicated to improving the health & livelihoods of women in LMICs. It's a chance to uplift their entire communities. More info ⬇
Thanks to
@UNICEF
for hosting today’s
#WD2023
panel on the link between nutrition & gender equality—something that often goes overlooked.
🍽️Nutrition IS a gender issue—& as a physician, I know how important it is to individuals, families, and communities.
#GenderNutritionGap
Thanks to
@catherinecheney
for a great conversation on putting
#gender
at the center of the
#COVID
-19 response. For a full recovery, we must combat the growing challenges women are facing today—from access to health to economic inclusion and so much more.
My time as a physician confirmed what I already knew: family planning (FP) is a powerful tool for women to control their health & start a family if & when they choose. In
@Devex
, I write about my takeaways from
#ICFP2022
& why FP matters. 🧵
So excited to be here in Kigali, Rwanda 🇷🇼 for the Women Deliver 2023 conference! I’m looking forward to a great week alongside global gender equality champions and activists.
#WD2023
Due to the efforts of Pakistan's government and dedicated health workers, it's been over a year since wild polio paralyzed a child in Pakistan. Traveling there this week alongside my
@GatesFoundation
colleagues made me especially proud to call it home.
Laughter is a powerful form of liberation and freedom—and
#InternationalDayoftheGirl
is all about reminding girls of their power, their rights, and their potential. Today, I’m celebrating by reading the poem “A Woman Is Laughing”, by Fahmida Riaz.
One of my favorite parts about this year’s
#WD2023
conference was seeing young advocates show up boldly and effectively to advance gender equality.
Feeling very fortunate to have seen some of their work in action. Good things are happening in the gender equality space!
Yesterday, a court in Texas issued a ruling that could halt physicians’ ability to prescribe mifepristone, a drug that is taken during a medication abortion. To be clear: Mifepristone is safe, common, and critical for women’s health.
My favorite thing about
#WomenInScience
is getting to learn from the amazing women in this field, and seeing the excitement of those just starting their careers. For
@WomenScienceDay
, celebrate the women who paved the way for us by mentoring a young woman in this field!
Supporting female leadership is critical to guaranteeing gender equity in progress against NTDs.
On
#WorldNTDDay
, the
@gatesfoundation
is proud to work with
@WHO
on the Mwele Malecela Mentorship Programme to support African women working to
#BeatNTDS
.
I’m leaving the
@gatesfoundation
's
#Goalkeepers2030
events feeling not only inspired, but also full of pride after seeing two brilliant doctors I’ve had the privilege to mentor on stage sharing innovations to save moms and babies. 🤩
Kenya🇰🇪 has officially launched a campaign to give every 10-year-old girl in the
country the HPV vaccine. Cervical cancer kills thousands of Kenyan women each year - and now nearly one million girls will be protected for life. Read more
@voa
:
#VaccinesWork
I'd bet almost every woman in the world has spent more time on unpaid care like cooking, cleaning, or caring for family in the last year.
The work is unpaid, but it comes at an enormous cost—for women and for the global economy.
Just one day in, the energy and momentum of the Generation Equality Forum has demonstrated the world is united in wanting a more gender-equal future. I’m thrilled that
@gatesfoundation
is committing $2.1B to help make this vision a reality.
#ActForEqual
.
@FyezahJehan
was the third Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellow that I trained & is now Chair of Pediatrics at my alma mater
@AKUGlobal
. So proud to see her on stage at
#Goalkeepers2030
sharing the lifesaving innovations that she & her team have championed for moms and babies.
These women have made incredible strides to help the world recover from
#COVID19
. Meet them, celebrate them, and don't forget them.
@NKaseje
@doctorsoumya
@devisridhar
Dr. Ozlem Tureci
Professor Sarah Gilbert
Today at the
#GenerationEquality
Forum conversation on Feminist Movements and Leadership I was proud to share details of the
@GatesFoundation
$100M in new funding to advance women’s power and influence in the global fields of health, law, and economics.
Maternal deaths and stillbirths have increased during the pandemic. We need to prioritize safe, accessible, and equitable maternity care to save lives now and avoid the same tragedy in the face of future health threats.
My mother always said to me, "Realize your power" and I've tried to pass the same message to my own children. Being a mother is both challenging and rewarding—and to every mother this
#MothersDay
, know that you are recognized, appreciated, and powerful.
Thinking back on
#Goalkeepers2030
with great hope—hope that we can create a brighter future for moms and babies around the world.
There are so many great innovations taking place, many of which are being fueled by people who I’ve had the privilege to mentor and work with.
In light of International Day of Girls and Women in Science, I'm thinking about how my mother, a physician, inspired my own career. I'm thrilled that my daughter is also in the sciences, and am proud to have three generations of
#WomenInScience
in my family.
I'm so privileged to work alongside such inspiring colleagues who are changing the world for women and girls. Take a moment to hear from
@SybilChidiac
,
@Global_ErinH
and
@MariaMayhem523
about the incredible work of our Gender Equality team.
This world
#WorldBreastfeedingWeek
I’m thinking about the importance of Kangaroo mother care. Early skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby has the potential to save lives and makes breast feeding easier in hospital and out.
These women should be celebrated for their incredible athletic ability and hard work—not punished for the uniforms they wear. Kudos to these athletes—and to
@Pink
!—for standing up for what's right.
Yes 🙌🏽 The Norwegian team and the German Olympic team of gymnasts are refusing to accept skimpy clothing as necessary for sport achievements! Pink offers to pay bikini bottoms fine for Norway women's handball team
Women around the world are still feeling the disproportionate economic impacts of COVID-19. This is the moment for bold change—to accelerate gender equality, ensure a successful recovery, and to equip women with the tools they need to thrive.
#ActForEqual
Each year, the whole
@gatesfoundation
meets for a week of connection, learning, and inspiration. My favorite parts of last week:
1⃣Getting the gender equality division together—they nailed the group selfie!
Close2⃣nd: chatting gender equality, graphs, and TV recs w/
@BillGates
The Open Call for the first round of grants from the
#GenderFund
is now live.
@gatesfoundation
and others are partnering with
@coimpactcollab
to support initiatives advancing gender equality and women's leadership at all levels. Apply now:
I can think of a few!
– Participating in the workforce amidst a global pandemic without childcare infrastructure
– Being a woman in STEM
– Finding a COVID-19 government task force with women on it
– Overcoming vaccine nationalism
Today marks 26 years since the monumental Beijing Declaration on women's rights. It inspired action from an incredible generation of women—many of whom I'm lucky enough to call my colleagues. Our work continues, but like
@diva_dhar
, I'm full of hope for what the future holds.
Hey
@trevormundel
, what’s in the 🎒?
At
#WEF24
, Trevor and I took a look at some exciting innovations—like vaccine patches and delivery drapes—that offer promising solutions to current health issues and inequities.
When women and girls have autonomy over their futures, fewer barriers hold them back from equal opportunity. That's why family planning and gender equality go hand in hand.
#IWD2022
The
@gatesfoundation
has a mantra: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." As the leader of
@UN_Women
,
@phumlambongcuka
lived these words every day. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this year's Global Goalkeeper Award.
#Goalkeepers2030
I don’t love being the center of attention, but the family surprise party and silly cupcakes at work reminded me how lucky I am to be surrounded by a community that loves and supports me. Thanks to all who sent well wishes!
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I’m reflecting on my own career in science and medicine—and thinking of all the amazing women and girls working in STEM! 🔬🧬
🧑🔬How do women and girls in science contribute to the work that you do?
#WomenInScience
Last week, I traveled to Senegal with
@melindagates
. Among the many great people I met and sights I saw, some highlights included visiting
@PasteurDakar
, the Pikine District Health Center, the
@Tostan
training center, and a roundtable with women entrepreneurs.
We’re encouraged by the progress of scientific discovery for new COVID-19 tools. Ending the pandemic will require multiple safe & effective vaccines & delivering them to all countries, regardless of wealth. Thanks
@CEPIvaccines
for sharing important insights on this latest news.
We welcome today's announcement from
@Pfizer
/
@BioNTech_Group
with interim data from their Phase III clinical trial indicating 90% effectiveness of their
#COVID19
vaccine candidate.
Full statement from our CEO, Dr Richard Hatchett, on our website:
Hi Twitter! Next week, I'll be away celebrating my son's graduation. While I'm out,
@diva_dhar
,
@gatesfoundation
's Deputy Director of Data & Evidence for Women's Economic Empowerment will be taking over my account 🥳
In many countries, community health workers are trusted to save lives. These African women are going 🏠 door-to-door 🏠 in their communities to curb the spread of
#COVID19
.
I’m feeling immensely inspired after a transformative
@womenlifthealth
Global Conference. I heard so many insightful strategies for advancing women’s leadership and was able to connect with powerful women leaders from around the globe!
Here are some
#WLHGC2024
highlights 🧵
When women and children can access the health services they need, it:
✅ Saves and improves lives
✅ Brings countless benefits to societies.
Countries must ensure
@theGFF
is fully funded and
#DeliverTheFuture
for women and children everywhere.
Today is the
@gatesfoundation
’s last work day in 2022. I’ll be signing off for the rest of the year to rest and recharge with family and friends. Before I go, I want to share a few highlights of my 2022 🧵
And last but not least is
@firefoxx66
: Emma Hodcroft, a genomic epidemiologist, whose work at the open source
@Nextstrain
group has helped track the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.
TFW you're on the hot seat in front of the fabulous
@gatesfoundation
Gender Equality Division! A joy to be with
@msuzman
—thanks for joining our team for a Q&A.
Hey, I’m Diva, Dep. Director, Women’s Economic Empowerment,
@gatesfoundation
. I lead the global portfolio on gender data & evidence. After many (failed) New Yr.'s resolutions to tweet
@diva_dhar
, Nutmeg & I are taking over Anita's account to share great work done by our partners!
The 2023 Goalkeepers Report is out! One big focus: moms & babies.
As a mom, a pediatrician, & the
@gatesfoundation
President of Gender Equality, these issues are personal. This year’s findings are sobering—yet there’s reason for hope. Let me explain ⬇️
This piece in
@nytimes
is a powerful reminder that in many countries,
#COVID19
isn’t the only deadly outbreak. Immunization is an essential service - and it saves lives.
In honor of International Women's Day, I'm sharing how countries can come out of this pandemic ahead: treat child care like the vital piece of public infrastructure it is. This moment is too important to miss.
#IWD2021
Embracing and valuing diversity of perspective, life experience, and identity makes our communities stronger. Happy
#PrideMonth
to all those celebrating! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Peace and support to any who are not able to celebrate openly. 🫶
I’m so excited to be joining
@womenlifthealth
at
#WLHGC2024
in Tanzania! 🇹🇿
Women are the backbone of global health—yet they’re not represented at the highest levels. This has to change.
Register to join 🔗:
Just shared some exciting news on LinkedIn about newly awarded grants for youth advocacy as part of the
#GenerationEquality
Forum, kicking off today in Mexico City. Check it out and follow me to hear more about how my team and I are pushing for equality:
My thoughts are with the family of Mahsa Amini. I am deeply saddened by her death yet empowered by the courageous Iranian women and men asking for justice for Mahsa. Gender equality is only possible when every woman, everywhere has the fundamental right to make their own choices.
I’m thrilled to see new study results that show the typhoid conjugate vaccine 💉 reduced cases of the disease by over 80% in Nepal!
This is proof from the field that
#VaccinesWork
to protect children and
#TakeOnTyphoid
. via
@guardian
🌏 I'm consistently grateful for frontline health workers' heroic efforts to vaccinate children around the world. Thanks to the brave individuals in this video for working to protect children in Pakistan. We cannot thank you enough!
Take a few seconds to watch how health workers in Pakistan go the extra mile to protect children against polio.
Reply to this tweet with a 👏 to show them your support!
Art has the power to tell stories, amplify movements, and bring people together. That's exactly what
@amplifierart
did during the Generation Equality Forum at their Seattle pop up. I was moved by their work and loved being able to share it with my
@GatesFoundation
family.
It's the last week of
#WomensHistoryMonth
and I thought I'd close out this month by sharing a few thoughts on what YOU can do to help create a more gender-equal world:
Here’s to a 2024 filled with action on women’s health—and smashing the patriarchy!
Innovations like a simple plastic drape for postpartum hemorrhaging can make a big impact. With proper advocacy and funding, we will make genuine progress on gender equality.
It has required a tremendous amount of dedication, commitment, and sacrifice by brave frontline workers to reach this achievement. I'm grateful for their hard work and am looking forward to a polio-free Pakistan.
Today we complete a whole year of zero polio cases in Pakistan. But environmental samples from a few places highlight the need for a final push. Visited DI Khan to discuss the way forward with Polio teams, local admin and security teams.
✅Braving sub-zero temperatures
✅Traveling to my first-ever
#Davos
✅ Launching the Global Alliance for Women’s Health to finally close the gender health gap
What a week! I had the chance to reflect on the learnings, challenges, and experiences at
#WEF24
:
This is exciting news for the
@gatesfoundation
. It's a tremendous privilege to have these kinds of resources to work toward a better, more equal world for women. A world where babies are born healthy & have a safe, healthy, well-nourished childhood.