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Jane Fonda, who has been an activist for women`s issues in real life and on the screen, is giving $12.5 million to Harvard University for the creation of a gender studies centre.

Researchers at the planned Centre on Gender and Education will study how children`s development and learning are affected by gender in such areas as math, science and athletics, and develop ways to strengthen their resilience and academic growth.

Fonda, 63, said she was inspired to donate the money after reading the book `In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women`s Development` by Harvard psychology professor Carol Gilligan. The donation includes $2.5 million for the creation of an endowed faculty chair in Gilligan`s name.