Closing the Gender Pay Gap: An Interview with Melinda French Gates on Equitable Economy

William Brangham: Melinda French Gates, who serves as the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is advocating for a more equitable economy. This issue is at the forefront of discussions this week as world leaders convene in Washington, D.C., for meetings hosted by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

In at least 93 countries, it is legally acceptable to pay women less for doing the exact same job as a man. These disparities not only affect women but also their children, families, and communities at large. The United Nations estimates that closing the gender gap, whether in pay or in access to loans and capital, could give the global economy a $7 trillion boost.

Melinda Gates joins us today to discuss these pressing matters. She has been working tirelessly to address issues such as economic inequality and gender discrimination through her foundation’s various initiatives. In this interview, she shares her insights on how we can work towards a more just and equitable society. Welcome back to the “NewsHour,” Melinda.

Melinda French Gates: Thank you for having me, William. It’s great to be here and continue our conversation about these important issues affecting women and their communities around the world.