Caroline Wozniacki, a former WTA World No. 1 and a mother of two, shared her personal journey, emphasizing the vital role of accessible health care and nutrition in achieving one’s dreams. She expressed her commitment to advocating for women’s health and nutrition, aspiring for all women to realize their utmost strength and capability.
A report from the World Economic Forum in 2024 highlights a stark reality: women experience significantly more years of poor health compared to men, which adversely affects their lives and restricts their participation in the workforce and their capacity to support their families. This health disparity is magnified by global challenges such as humanitarian crises, conflicts, and climate change, which disproportionately harm women and girls.
Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam singles winner and recent mother, voiced her support for gender equality in health and opportunities, whether in education, employment, or sports. She emphasized the collective benefit when women support one another.
The current situation is dire, with over a billion women and girls worldwide lacking essential nutrition and healthy diets necessary for their well-being and that of their children, exacerbating the gender nutrition gap. Women and girls face a 50% higher risk of malnutrition compared to males. In contrast to the widespread use of prenatal vitamins among expectant mothers in affluent countries, many women in economically disadvantaged countries do not have access to these vital supplements, which are crucial for reducing risks of stillbirth, infant mortality, and improving overall maternal health.
“It is unacceptable that so many women and girls don’t have access to adequate 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’s exactly what Women Change the Game is about. Nowhere is it more important to level the playing field than women’s health.”
Empowering Women Through Tennis
Empowering Women Through Tennis harnesses the global appeal of tennis to channel the prowess of top-tier female athletes from the courts into significant off-court influence. This initiative aims to address urgent issues affecting women and girls worldwide. At the heart of this effort is the introduction of the WTA Foundation Global Women’s Health Fund. This fund is dedicated to gathering resources for critical women’s health and nutrition products and services, readily accessible in affluent nations but often scarce or non-existent in developing countries.
The initiative is supported by a variety of creative materials, including videos, digital platforms, and social media content, designed to amplify the voices of leading female athletes in the fight for gender equality and enhanced health and nutrition for women everywhere. Through a series of events on the Hologic WTA Tour, the campaign will bring together corporate sponsors, tournament organizers, philanthropic entities, athletes, and fans to promote and fundraise for women’s health and nutrition. It encourages audiences to visit womenchangethegame.com to learn more, get involved, and contribute to the cause.
The Global Women’s Health Fund, a key aspect of the partnership, initiated its efforts with a generous $1.5 million donation from Hologic, the WTA Tour’s title sponsor and a leading innovator in medical technology dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of women. This venture symbolizes the ongoing expansion of the collaboration between the WTA and Hologic, aimed at improving women’s wellness. Utilizing insights from the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index, the Fund emphasizes the interconnectedness of preventive healthcare, access to essential nutrition and housing, educational opportunities, and other vital resources for females across all age groups.
“Whether it’s prenatal vitamins for expectant mothers or routine screenings for breast and cervical cancers, we know that early intervention is pivotal to helping women live longer and better,” said Stephen P. MacMillan, chairman, president, and CEO of Hologic. “As the first donor to the Global Women’s Health Fund, we’re teaming up with the WTA Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in urging others—businesses, foundations, governments, tennis fans—to join us in this crucial movement of improving women’s health.”
In its first year, the Fund will allocate all proceeds to the Child Nutrition Fund. This global endeavor, spearheaded by UNICEF and supported by entities like the U.K. government, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among others, aims to eradicate child wasting. With its global presence and local affiliations, UNICEF is uniquely positioned to deliver essential services and products directly to women across the globe, ensuring their well-being and health.
Tags: Stephen P. MacMillan, Hologic, Melinda French Gates, Melinda Gates Foundation, Caroline Wozniacki, WTA Foundation International Women’s Day, nutrition, philanthropy, Women Change the Game, Women's Tennis Association, Womens Health
