Melinda Gates discusses family planning in Huffington Post blog interview

In the Huffington Post's "World" blog, writer Marianne Schnall interviews Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, "about why she considers family planning such a vital issue, how she views the role of philanthropy, her excitement over a new crowdfunding platform she helped launch called Catapult, and the many ways she says giving has enriched her life." Schnall writes, "Controversy over reproductive rights has been at the forefront of our national conversation, but philanthropist Melinda Gates would like to take the controversy out and transform the narrative into a global one through education and advocacy."

"I think people need to remember that empowering women to determine their future should not be controversial, no matter where you are," Gates said in the interview, adding, "We also need to remind people that while it may not be a life and death situation in the U.S., over 200,000 women and girls in the developing world die in childbirth every year who would survive if we gave them the contraceptives they want and need." Among other issues, Gates highlights the London Summit on Family Planning held in London in July and discusses the role of foreign aid and philanthropy, celebrity engagement, and country leadership (11/28).