GSK and its majority-owned subsidiary, ViiV Healthcare, have been long-standing private sector partners of the Global Fund, contributing both financial resources and strategic expertise to advance global health equity. Their collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to tackling HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, with a particular emphasis on addressing gender-related health disparities. In 2023, GSK and ViiV Healthcare jointly pledged £6 million (approximately US$7.5 million) over three years to establish the Gender Equality Fund, a bold initiative aimed at empowering women, girls, and gender-diverse communities to influence health policies and programs. This commitment was matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, doubling the fund’s impact and reinforcing the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration.
The partnership builds on successful initiatives such as the HER Voice Fund and Voix EssentiELLES, which have supported grassroots organizations across sub-Saharan Africa and francophone West and Central Africa. These programs have enabled adolescent girls and young women to participate in advocacy, policymaking, and community-led health interventions. ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action program, has played a pivotal role in financing and capacity-building efforts, helping to amplify the voices of marginalized groups and strengthen their participation in Global Fund country processes. The Gender Equality Fund now supports 23 partners across seven countries, with funders—including GSK and ViiV—actively participating in the fund’s steering committee alongside civil society representatives.
The impact of this collaboration is both systemic and profoundly human. By channeling resources directly to community-led organizations, the partnership has helped shape more inclusive health strategies, improved access to essential services, and challenged harmful gender norms. The Global Fund has credited GSK and ViiV Healthcare with helping to sustain HIV and TB treatment during crises, such as the war in Ukraine, and with supporting the rollout of innovative HIV prevention tools like CAB-LA 5. Looking ahead, the partners are exploring ways to scale the Gender Equality Fund through alliances with feminist funding networks, aiming to expand geographic reach and ensure long-term sustainability. This evolving partnership exemplifies how private sector engagement can drive transformative changes in global health.