Q&A with the Gates Foundation: Reflecting on learnings from Generation Equality

1. Could you describe the Gates Foundation’s contributions to the Generation Equality initiative and how these have supported both the GE's goals and the Foundation's ones?

The Gates Foundation has been involved with Generation Equality since its inception, enabling us to simultaneously contribute to a shared global vision and advance our own gender equality goals. We committed $2.1 billion over five years towards three Action Coalitions. Under the Economic Justice and Rights (EJR) Action Coalition, $650 million is dedicated to scaling solutions that support women’s economic empowerment through inclusive financial systems, advocacy, and policy. We committed $100 million under the Feminist Movements and Leadership (FML) Action Coalition to accelerate women’s full and effective leadership across key sectors including health, economics, and law. The largest investment, $1.4 billion under the Bodily Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (BA-SRHR) Action Coalition, aims to expand access to family planning and modern contraception in underserved areas. Additionally, the foundation has invested in the convening of the Generation Equality initiative at the global and country levels. Our commitments have strengthened internal accountability within the foundation by ensuring teams are using our gender integration marker, enhancing transparency and accountability.

2. What has been the Gates Foundation’s experience working as a commitment maker? Can you highlight any notable challenges and successes?

The initiative’s multistakeholder methodology has allowed us to make connections with those we might not have had the opportunity to hear from and engage with. These relationships have been critical in understanding varied perspectives, how other funders are approaching issues, and where we can join forces. Being part of a network of partners with a shared ambition allows reach to have a multiplier effect and has the potential to make everyone feel that they are part of a collective vision. However, this same methodology has challenges. Every stakeholder brings their own priorities and approaches and therefore, consensus and agreement can be harder to achieve.

Additionally, COVID-19, current global pushback on gender equality, and a politically polarized environment result in a difficult environment to maintain momentum and require continuous advocacy and alignment. At the same time, this reality demonstrates the need for collective action more than ever. Within this context, we see the need to adopt a variety of strategies and communication strategies to broaden the influence of Generation Equality beyond conventional gender-focused circles.

3. What are some of the key lessons learned from collaborating with other stakeholders in this multistakeholder partnership? How have these insights informed your work?

Generation Equality has underscored the importance of local action. Partnering with and understanding the needs of communities is critical for advancing solutions that work. The Gates Foundation has also provided support to Tanzania and South Africa to adapt Generation Equality’s framework to their national contexts. These countries have demonstrated that political leadership and prioritization can translate Generation Equality’s global goals into meaningful local action.

Cross-thematic learning is another critical lesson. Progress in one area, such as economic empowerment, often depends on advancements in others, like reproductive health. Strengthening engagement across issue areas ensures individual goals level up towards progress. Moreover, adopting diverse communication strategies, including data-driven narratives that connect the dots between issue areas, helps reach new audiences and broadens support for gender equality initiatives.

The foundation also recognizes the power of collective action, as demonstrated through Generation Equality’s collective commitments. Engaging stakeholders across sectors has been instrumental in global agenda setting, leveraging resources, and driving impact. For example, the Global Alliance for Care has successfully positioned care at the forefront of countries’ agendas and contributed to the establishment of the International Day of Care and Support.

4. From your perspective, what unique value does the Generation Equality initiative bring to advancing gender equality?

One of Generation Equality’s unique contributions is its efforts to unite fragmented efforts across the gender ecosystem and strengthen intergenerational and intersectional partnerships to drive solutions. Generation Equality offers a methodology for advancing gender equality with inclusive partnerships at its core and a common agenda through the collective drafting of the Gender Equality Global Acceleration Plan. One very practical thing Generation Equality has contributed, is the commitment dashboard. This has become a helpful reference tool to map the different commitments and priorities of numerous stakeholders. It has helped to increase access and hopefully can foster new and deeper connections.