WTA Foundation’s Global Women’s Health Fund – in support of UNICEF – rallies the world to help close the women’s health gap this International Women’s Day
Backed by global athletes and celebrities, including Maria Sharapova, Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka, and Ons Jabeur, the WTA Foundation is uniting the power of sport and philanthropy to generate life-saving nutritional resources, as it kick-starts a new partnership with UNICEF and celebrates reaching a funding goal to unlock support for 1 million women.
NEW YORK (March 7, 2025) — Today, ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, the WTA Foundation’s Global Women’s Health Fund announces a new partnership with UNICEF, to help close the women’s health gap through better health and nutrition resources for women and children worldwide. Calling on tennis fans to join the rally, tennis icon Maria Sharapova spoke out in support of the mission which champions mothers and children worldwide to reach their full potential.
In 2024, the WTA Foundation’s Global Women’s Health Fund reached its fundraising target to help support 1 million women. To further this effort, in 2025 they have partnered with UNICEF to help provide access to life-changing prenatal vitamins - one of the top investments in global health - which support safe pregnancies and a healthy start at life for children.
Globally, women spend 25% more of their life in poor health than men – a problem passed down through generations and exacerbated by poor nutrition. Prenatal vitamins can help to change this and close the gap. They dramatically reduce the risk of stillbirth, infant mortality, and babies born small and vulnerable, and improve women’s health. Nine-in-ten women in low and middle-income countries lack access to prenatal vitamins, however, with a donation less than the cost of a tennis ball, tennis fans can help provide critical nutrition support to pregnant women in vulnerable communities, covering an entire pregnancy for both mother and baby.
“I am so proud to support the WTA Foundation as it rallies the world this International Women’s Day,” Maria Sharapova, former WTA World No. 1, said. “As an athlete and a mum, I understand the powerful role that good health care and nutrition plays - especially during pregnancy - in determining life outcomes.”
The first-of-its-kind WTA Foundation’s Global Women’s Health Fund was established in 2024 in partnership with the Gates Foundation.
“Malnutrition is a silent crisis for women and children around the world—responsible for half of child deaths, and one in five maternal deaths. Prenatal vitamins are one of the most cost-effective ways we can address this, and thanks to this partnership they will be available to more women in low- and middle-income countries for the first time,” said Anita Zaidi, President of Gender Equality at the Gates Foundation. “Investing in the health of women and children is not a zero-sum game—it’s an investment with ripple effects that benefit everyone.”
Offering a platform for tennis fans to support this change, every dollar raised will be matched during the year-long partnership, doubling the impact. Funds raised will directly support the UNICEF-led Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) which is designed to transform the response to malnutrition by not only addressing the challenges of today, but also by building systems that can prevent them in the future.
“Worldwide, one in three pregnant mothers suffer from anemia largely due to lack of access to good nutrition,” said Dr. Victor Aguayo, Director of Child Nutrition and Development at UNICEF. “But an anemia-free tomorrow is possible. Through the work of the UNICEF-led Child Nutrition Fund, this impressive cohort of partners can help provide life-changing prenatal vitamins and other essential nutrition services to women in vulnerable communities, helping to ensure safer pregnancies and a better start in life for their children.”
“Access to health care and basic nutrition should be an equal right for everyone – no matter who you are or where you live,” said Naomi Osaka, four-time Grand Slam singles champion and mom. “Together we can help to change the game for women and babies around the world, rallying behind the WTA Foundation Global Women’s Health Fund, and start closing the women’s health gap today.”
For more information about Women Change the Game and the WTA Foundation’s Global Women’s Health Fund, visit www.womenchangethegame.com.
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Notes to Editor:
Video found here: Rallying the world to help close the women’s health gap | Maria Sharapova
Women Change the Game
Women Change the Game engages global audiences through tennis—translating the power of elite athletes on the court into elite influence off the court—to take on some of the most pressing and urgent issues for women and girls. A critical component of the campaign is the WTA Foundation Global Women’s Health Fund, which will mobilize resources for lifesaving women’s health and nutrition products and services that are readily available in high-income countries but are difficult to access or altogether unavailable in low- and middle-income countries. Further information on Women Change the Game can be found at: www.womenchangethegame.com.
The WTA Foundation’s Global Women’s Health Fund
The fundraising component of the partnership is the Global Women’s Health Fund, which kicked-off with a donation of $1.5 million in 2024 coming from Hologic, title sponsor of the WTA Tour and one of the world’s top medical technology innovators focused on improving women’s health and well-being. Collaboration on the Fund marks the latest expansion of the WTA’s and Hologic’s comprehensive, multiyear alliance to elevate women’s well-being. The Fund leverages data insights from sources like the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index, which shows the interlocking importance of preventive care, access to adequate food and shelter, strong educational opportunities, and other critical resources for women and girls of all ages.
About UNICEF USA
UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
About the WTA
The WTA is the original game-changer for women’s sport. Founded in 1973 by the visionary Billie Jean King, the WTA was created to build equal opportunities for women in tennis, and we’ve been breaking boundaries ever since. Today we’re the powerhouse of women’s professional sports, uniting athletes in fearless competition and bringing people together through the love of tennis. The Hologic WTA Tour shares the thrill of every serve, rally and match point with an audience of more one billion around the world. Players compete for PIF WTA ranking points in tournament arenas on six continents before the season hits its peak at the WTA Finals, where the best singles and doubles superstars battle to be crowned as year-end champions. Our ambitions go well beyond the court. We are champions for our 1,600 incredible athletes and drivers of change through advocacy and action for women’s health and empowerment across the globe.
Rally the world: wtatennis.com
About the WTA Foundation
Serving as the philanthropic arm of the leading women’s professional sport globally, the WTA Foundation empowers girls and women to live fully and supports WTA communities worldwide through initiatives promoting equality, education, leadership, and health and wellness.
For more information please contact:
Julianne O’Connell, UNICEF USA, (908) 328-6060, joconnell@unicefusa.org