Why Global 50/50?

Global 50/50 is an independent research initiative that informs, inspires and incites action and accountability for gender justice in society. When we formed G5050 (formerly Global Health 50/50), our collective agreed on a simple guiding principle: our work can only be deemed a success when global health policy and organisational decision-making place a gender lens, gender equality and health equity at their core.

For decades, our collective members have researched, advised, advocated for, published, and delivered policies and programmes to promote gender equality and health equity. Global 50/50 was borne out of our shared frustration that, despite the evidence, change wasn’t happening fast enough. Our academic outputs on gender and health were falling on deaf ears. Evidence alone, we knew, doesn’t cut through the noise to change policy and practice. So we decided to change the rules of the game.

Global 50/50 was formed around a unique model that brings together the rigour of academic research, an understanding of how policy change occurs, and the momentum of advocates and communicators to catalyse progress. Supported by a high-powered Advisory Council aligned with this mission, our model acts as a channel to bridge evidence and policy, accelerating progress towards gender equality and health equity.

Since 2017, Global Health 50/50 has been a trusted, evidence-driven authority advancing accountability for gender equality in the global health sector. Our work has helped catalyse change across the policies, practices, and leadership of more than 200 organisations working in global health – establishing a global benchmark for progress and transparency on equality.

But the forces driving gender inequality don’t stop at the borders of health. They are systemic, deeply rooted, and embedded across the worlds of justice, finance, education, and more.

Global 50/50 now brings together a unified brand architecture and bold new vision: to expose and address gender inequality across global systems. Anchored by our parent brand, Global 50/50, our work expands into three powerful pillars:

• Global Health 50/50: Continuing to lead on gender and health equity. 

• Global Justice 50/50: Launching mid-2025, with an interim report on the judiciary and a full Global Gender & Justice Report in the autumn. 

• Global Finance 50/50: Launching in 2026, with a focus on gender accountability across financial systems. 

Each initiative builds on GH5050’s proven methodology: rigorous, transparent research that not only highlights disparities but activates data for accountability and drives reform.

Our initiative brings together leading feminists, doctors, academics, and policy and political experts from all corners of the world. From the former Prime Minister of New Zealand and UN policy leaders, to journalists, advocates and university academics, G5050 represents one of the most experienced and powerful teams assembled to tackle these challenges. Meet the team.

Global 50/50 (as Global Health 50/50) was co-founded and is co-directed by Professor Sarah Hawkes, Director of the Centre of Gender and Global Health at University College London, and Professor Kent Buse, Director of Global Healthier Societies, The George Institute for Global Health.

Global 50/50 (as Global Health 50/50) is registered UK charity (Charity number: 1194015).