It may be a new year, but Melinda Gates is still committed to using her platform and voice to empower women throughout the world.

The co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and well-known philanthropist kicked off 2018 by writing an op-ed for Time, which was guest edited by Bill Gates, titled, "It's Time for a New Era for Women."

"The year 2017 has been a painful reminder that when men hold most of the power it’s all too easy for them to abuse it. But the moment of reckoning prompted by the 'Me Too' conversation has also proven that by coming together and speaking in one voice, women can tip the balance," Gates began.

Gates went on to highlight some of the most successful women's movements in the world, which have taken place everywhere from Pakistan and Ethiopia to Indonesia.

"Simply put, women get things done," she wrote.

In 2018, Gates wants people everywhere to work harder to support and appreciate women, their talents, and their potential. "Right now, less than 2% of global funding for gender issues goes to local women’s organizations," she noted, encouraging people to make raising funds for grassroots women's movements a priority.

Read the full article by Nicole Galucci about investing in women from Mashable