Fortune - Melinda Gates takes the global view

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July 16, 2020

Good morning, Broadsheet readers! Ivanka Trump may have a Goya beans problem, the ‘Bumble’ name gains new prominence, and Melinda Gates demands action to address women’s marginalization amid the pandemic. Have a peaceful Thursday.

– ‘Gender-blind is not gender-neutral.’ Fortune has spilled a lot of digital ink in recent months covering how the pandemic is hurting women disproportionately. We’ve focused primarily on women’s enormous childcare burden, their higher rate of joblessness, and—for those still employed— their increased likelihood of quitting. We revisited a few of these topics just yesterday.

Now a new op-ed by Melinda Gates in Foreign Affairs reveals how women worldwide are being marginalized in less obvious ways.

—A cutback in maternal care due to overwhelmed health care systems could claim the lives of up to 113,000 women

—Lack of access to contraceptives (as countries hoard primary ingredients) is expected to lead to 15 million additional unplanned pregnancies.

—Women’s businesses are often smaller than men’s and earn less revenue, meaning they may have a harder time qualifying for government assistance programs.

—Governments’ cash handouts can overlook women because women are less likely to show up on payrolls, have formal IDs, and own a mobile phone.

It’s vital, Gates argues, that policymakers consider women’s unique disadvantages as they work to mitigate the pandemic’s blow. “‘Gender-blind is not gender-neutral’ is a refrain among advocates for women and girls,” she writes. “In this crucial moment, it must also be a call to action.”

Some countries are already answering that call. As Gates notes, Canada has set aside benefits specifically for women’s enterprises, Argentina is procuring masks from domestic workers, and Kenya and Bangladesh offer phone and data plans that are priced and marketed for women.

Alongside the stark marginalization of women lies opportunity. A McKinsey report out yesterday finds that taking action to promote gender equality could add $13 trillion to global GDP in 2030 compared to a gender-regressive scenario. And that action is needed now. Delaying it until after the pandemic ends could cost the global economy $5 trillion.

Claire Zillman
claire.zillman@fortune.com
@clairezillman

Today’s Broadsheet was curated by Emma Hinchliffe.

ALSO IN THE HEADLINES

- 'They go to Mommy first.' During the pandemic, working mothers have reduced their hours spent working four to five times more than fathers, according to a new study. The trend is a troubling one for women's career prospects after the crisis. New York Times

- Oh, Goya. Ivanka's having a busy week! By posting a photo with Goya beans—after the CEO of the food brand voiced his support for President Trump—the first daughter may have violated a federal ethics rule. CNN

- The Magic of Bumble. After MagicLab CEO Andrey Andreev was accused of fostering a toxic work environment last year (he denied specific allegations), Whitney Wolfe Herd took over his role running Bumble's parent company. Now, the online dating giant is being reorganized and renamed Bumble, reflecting what Wolfe Herd considers its flagship product. Fast Company

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: As part of the reorganization at Bumble, Ann Mather was named board chair and Pamela Thomas-Graham and Elisa Steele were named board members. Karen van Bergen, former CEO of Omnicom PR Group, joins Morning Consult's board of directors. Edelman promoted Arielle Patrick to EVP and transaction director in the Financial Communications & Capital Markets group. Pantheon hired Lisa Lucas, executive director of the National Book Foundation, as publisher of Pantheon and Schocken Books.

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- Standing strong? After protesters toppled a statue of slaveowner Edward Colston in Bristol last month, a group of activists replaced it on Wednesday with a statue of Jen Reid, a Black Lives Matter protester who had been photographed standing on the empty plinth. But by Thursday, the Bristol City Council had removed the Reid statue. Bristol's mayor said it was up to the people of Bristol to decide what would replace Colston's likeness. BBC

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