Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott among backers of US$1bil gender fund

The Gender Fund is receiving backing from philanthropists Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott, so far raising RM1.34bil for its mission to improve women's equality. — AP/File

Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott are among philanthropists donating money to the Gender Fund, which seeks to raise US$1bil (RM4.19bil) to advance equality and women’s leadership in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Contributions to date have topped US$320mil (RM1.34bil) and grant-making has begun across the three regions, Co-Impact, the fund’s manager, said in a statement on Thursday. It plans to raise the target amount over the next 10 years.