The campaign includes the ground-breaking WTA Foundation Global Women's Health Fund, which aims to support at least 1 million women in its first year with an initial donation from WTA Tour title sponsor Hologic. I am.
ST. Petersburg, FL and Seattle (March 8, 2024)— announced today, on International Women's Day, by the WTA Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. women change the game, a new campaign that combines the power of women's tennis with philanthropy to make women's health and nutrition a global priority. A key element of this campaign is her WTA Foundation Global Women's Health Fund, the first of its kind. With her first donation from Hologic, the title sponsor of the WTA Tour, the foundation will focus on important aspects of preventive care in its first year. The fund aims to support at least one million women with prenatal vitamins in low- and middle-income countries with easy access. Adequate nutritional intake for maternal health is limited.
Former WTA World No. 1 Champion Caroline Wozniacki said, “Throughout my life, tennis has given me an avenue to pursue my dreams. I have learned firsthand how important it is to have proper health care and nutrition. I know,” he said. And she is a mother of two children. “On International Women’s Day and beyond, we are proud to shine a light on women’s health and nutrition in hopes of empowering all women to reach their full potential.”
According to the World Economic Forum's 2024 report, women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health than men. This significant health disparity impacts women's quality of life and limits their ability to enter the workforce and earn a living for themselves and their families. And in the face of global crises such as humanitarian disasters, wars and climate change, women and girls suffer the worst outcomes.
Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion and new mother, said: “All women and girls should have equal opportunities to do their best, whether in school, at work, or on the tennis court.'' ” he said. “We stand up for women in need, because when we advocate for each other, we all win.”
Today, more than one billion women and girls lack access to the adequate nutrition and healthy diets they need to survive and thrive, with dire consequences for themselves and their children. Nutritional disparities between men and women are worsening around the world. Women and girls are 50% more likely to be malnourished than boys and men. The majority of pregnant women in high-income countries take prenatal vitamins throughout their pregnancy, but most women in low- and middle-income countries do not have access to this simple, life-saving measure. Prenatal vitamins improve women's health by providing important nutrients that dramatically reduce the risk of stillbirth, infant mortality, and babies born small and weak.
“It is unacceptable that so many women and girls are without proper nutrition and basic care,” said Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “The WTA Foundation was founded on the idea of equal opportunity, and that is exactly what it is. women change the game is about. Nowhere is leveling the playing field more important than in women's health. ”
women change the game
women change the game We will engage audiences around the world through tennis, transform the power of elite athletes on the court into elite influence off the court, and tackle some of the most pressing and urgent issues for women and girls. A key element of this campaign is the new WTA Foundation Global Women's Health Fund. The Fund mobilizes funds for lifesaving women's health and nutrition products and services that are readily available in high-income countries, but difficult to access or not available at all in low- and low-income countries. Middle income countries.
The campaign features creative assets including video, digital and social content that elevate the voices of elite female athletes who are contributing to equality and improving health and nutrition for women around the world. A series of activities across the Hologic WTA Tour will engage corporate sponsors, tournaments, philanthropic partners, athletes and fans to raise awareness and funding for women's health and nutrition. The campaign directs viewers to womenchangethegame.com where they can engage with the issue and donate.
WTA Foundation Global Women's Health Fund
The funding component of this partnership is the Global Women's Health Fund, which provides a kickoff donation of $1.5 million to the Global Women's Health Fund, title sponsor of the WTA Tour and one of the world's leading medical technology innovators focused on improving women's health and well-being. Brought to you by Hologic. . The collaboration on this fund marks the latest expansion of WTA and Hologic's comprehensive multi-year partnership aimed at improving the well-being of women. The Foundation leverages data insights from sources such as the Hologic Global Women's Health Index to improve preventive care, access to adequate food and shelter, strong educational opportunities, and support for women of all ages and It shows the interlocking importance of other important resources for girls.
“Whether it's prenatal vitamins for pregnant women or regular breast and cervical cancer screenings, we know that early intervention is critical to helping women live longer and better lives.” said Stephen P. McMillan, Hologic's Chairman, President and CEO. “As the first donor to the Global Women's Health Fund, we are partnering with the WTA Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to encourage businesses, foundations, governments, tennis fans and others to join us in this important movement for improvement. Women's Health.”
For at least the first year, every dollar raised through this fund will be donated to the UK Government, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other partners. UNICEF, the world's health and nutrition leader, has the global presence and local partnerships necessary to get products and services directly into the hands of women in need around the world.
For more information, women change the game and the WTA Foundation's Global Women's Health Fund, visit www.womenchangethegame.com.
About WTA
The WTA was founded by Billie Jean King in 1973 on the principle of equal opportunity and is the world leader in women's professional sports. The WTA is one of the most well-known and high-profile sporting organizations in the world and is made up of over 1,600 athletes representing over 80 countries, all of whom are ranked in the WTA rankings with points and honors. Compete to win tournament titles. The Hologic WTA Tour is made up of over 70 events and her four Grand Slams, spanning 30 countries and territories on six continents and reaching a global audience of more than 1 billion people. For more information about WTA, visit wtatennis.com.
About WTA Foundation
As the world's leading philanthropic arm of women's professional sport, the WTA Foundation empowers girls and women to live fully through its work promoting equality, education, leadership, health and wellness, and supports WTA communities around the world. is supported.
About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation believes that all lives have equal value and works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, the focus is on improving people's health and giving them a chance to escape hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, we aim to ensure that all people, especially those with the least resources, have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. The Seattle, Washington-based foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, with co-chairs Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates and a board of directors.
For WTA Foundation: [email protected]
For the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: [email protected]
