Dr. Alaa Murabit, the director of global health advocacy and communications at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is determined to expand the discourse surrounding women’s health care. While many people associate women’s health with reproductive rights, Murabit believes it extends far beyond that. She emphasizes that women’s health is a fundamental necessity for a prosperous economy, not just an act of benevolence towards women.
In fact, a recent McKinsey report revealed that closing the global health gap between men and women could significantly boost global GDP by 2040. Murabit is taking action by raising funds for the Beginnings Fund, a collaborative initiative aimed at providing women worldwide with the resources and support they need for effective healthcare. This can range from providing basic medical supplies in certain countries to increasing investment in research on menopause in others.
For Murabit, empowering women through control over their own bodies is about power. She believes that when women are able to take care of their health, they can use their bodies as economic tools for themselves, their families, and their communities. Ultimately, having control over their health empowers women to have political influence as well.
