Melinda Gates donates $1 billion to promote women's issues

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates, who was previously married to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, said Tuesday she was giving $1 billion to people and organizations working to promote women's issues.

The announcement comes as many on the political left in the United States see a backsliding of women's rights, including on reproductive issues, as Republican hardliners push abortion bans across the country.

"In nearly 20 years as an advocate for women and girls, I have learned that there will always be people who say it's not the right time to talk about gender equality," French Gates wrote in a guest opinion piece in The New York Times.

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates, who was previously married to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, said Tuesday she was giving $1 billion to people and organizations working to promote women's issues.

The announcement comes as many on the political left in the United States see a backsliding of women's rights, including on reproductive issues, as Republican hardliners push abortion bans across the country.

"In nearly 20 years as an advocate for women and girls, I have learned that there will always be people who say it's not the right time to talk about gender equality," French Gates wrote in a guest opinion piece in The New York Times.

Recipients included former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, and US athlete and maternal-health advocate Allyson Felix.