In the complex landscape of global healthcare, technology emerges as a powerful equaliser, offering unprecedented opportunities to address long-standing disparities in women’s health.
From the remote villages of Africa to urban centres in developed nations, innovative technological solutions are creating pathways to healthcare access that were unimaginable just a decade ago.
Yet while much progress has been made in areas such as reproductive health, mental health, neurodiversity and cancer care, there is still some way to go in realising true gender equality in access to healthcare – a goal that also offers the potential of huge economic rewards.
Technology as a transformative force in addressing global healthcare divide
Women’s healthcare has historically been characterised by significant inequities. Despite comprising just over half the global population, women have consistently been underserved by medical research, clinical trials and healthcare delivery.
This systemic neglect has resulted in profound gaps in understanding women’s health needs, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.
The disparities are stark. In countries like Afghanistan and across parts of Africa, women face multiple barriers to healthcare: cultural restrictions, limited infrastructure, economic constraints and a shortage of specialised healthcare providers, especially in fields like obstetrics and gynaecology.
Conversely, Nordic countries like Sweden and Norway have demonstrated how comprehensive, gender-specific healthcare approaches can transform health outcomes. They harness robust primary care systems that prioritise preventative health measures, comprehensive maternal care programmes that extend from pre-conception though postpartum support, and innovative digital health solutions that improve access and monitoring of women’s health needs.
But while the natural assumption may be that the richest countries have cracked women’s health, there remains a global lag across various healthcare issues including in many of the world’s wealthiest nations.
Enter femtech – a technological revolution specifically designed to address women’s health needs. This emerging sector is not just a market opportunity but a critical intervention in global healthcare equity.
Projected to exceed $60bn by 2027, femtech represents more than just a business trend; it’s a lifeline for millions of women who have been historically marginalised.
Reproductive health innovations
Consider reproductive healthcare, where technology is making remarkable strides. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that about 800 women die daily from preventable pregnancy and childbirth-related complications.
Digital health platforms and telemedicine are changing this narrative by bringing critical healthcare information and services to remote areas.
In regions with limited healthcare access, mobile applications now provide comprehensive reproductive health guidance.
These platforms offer everything from fertility tracking to pregnancy support, effectively democratising healthcare information. Telemedicine consultations allow women to receive expert medical advice without traversing challenging geographical or cultural barriers.
Digital tracking tools are also aiding women with access to such platforms in countries like the United States, where menopause remains significantly under-diagnosed – eight in 10 women in the US receive no formal diagnosis.
New hormone therapy options, specialised menopause clinics offering comprehensive care and a growing awareness is driving improved workplace policies. Healthcare provider education means more women can access timely and appropriate care and support for their symptoms.
Neurodiversity and mental health
Technology is also revolutionising support for women living with neurodiversity. Traditional research and diagnostic frameworks have often overlooked women’s experiences, particularly in neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism.
Digital therapeutic platforms are now developing gender-specific diagnostic and treatment approaches to address a critical gap that can lead to missed or delayed diagnoses, allowing neurodiverse women access to care that would otherwise be delayed or unobtainable.
Similarly, specialised digital platforms can provide tailored resources for mental health, which is considered a primary health concern by 51% of women, compared to 40% of men, according to the Ipsos Health Services Report 2024.
Emerging tools also consider the unique hormonal and societal challenges women face.
For instance, perinatal mental health programmes delivered through smartphone apps can support women during vulnerable transitional periods, offering counselling, community support and professional guidance.
Research is also being gathered to improve understanding of hormonal influences on mental health, leading to more tailored treatment approaches.
Cancer detection and prevention
Perhaps one of the most compelling technological interventions is in cancer care. Artificial intelligence is transforming early detection mechanisms, particularly for breast and cervical cancers.
While survival rates for the 2.3 million diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 are 80% in most high-income countries, they drop significantly in developing nations – 66% in India and 40% in South Africa – according to the WHO.
Multiple barriers contribute to these disparities, including delays to individuals seeking healthcare due to social stigma, limited awareness in rural areas, insufficient access to treatment centres and financial constraints.
AI-powered mammogram analysis can identify potential abnormalities with unprecedented accuracy, while mobile screening units equipped with advanced diagnostic tools can reach rural communities, offering hope through advanced diagnostic capabilities where traditional healthcare infrastructure is limited.
Breaking technological and cultural barriers
Successfully implementing these technological solutions requires more than just advanced tools. It demands a nuanced understanding of local contexts, cultural sensitivities and systemic challenges.
International collaboration plays a crucial role. By sharing data, research and best practices, countries can learn from each other’s successes and challenges. The WHO’s initiatives in breast and cervical cancer demonstrate how cross-border knowledge sharing can accelerate healthcare improvements.
Further progress in this respect requires effective international collaboration. A white paper by the UAE-UK Business Council, which Browne Jacobson contributed to, spelled out the need for a co-ordinated regulatory ecosystem that facilitates effective cross-border data sharing in joint research projects and clinical trials.
It highlighted how the hallmarks of EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are now evident in laws established across the world. By creating partial harmonisation in core principles around how data is shared, this offers a platform to build on.
Education is equally critical. Technology must be accompanied by comprehensive awareness programmes that address cultural barriers and promote health-seeking behaviours. This means developing platforms that are not just technologically sophisticated, but also culturally intelligent and linguistically appropriate.
Looking forward: A collaborative future
Beyond humanitarian considerations, investing in women’s healthcare through technology represents a significant economic opportunity. McKinsey estimates a potential $1tn economic benefit from closing the women’s health gap.
By improving women’s health outcomes, we simultaneously enhance individual wellbeing and broader economic productivity.
The path to equitable healthcare is not a destination but a continuous journey. It requires sustained commitment from governments, technology companies, healthcare providers and international organisations.
The femtech sector and related technological innovations are not just solving immediate healthcare challenges, but reimagining how we approach women’s health globally.
As we advance, the focus must remain on creating scalable, culturally sensitive technological solutions that respect individual contexts while offering world-class healthcare access. The goal is not to impose a one-size-fits-all model, but to empower women with choices, information and support tailored to their unique needs.
Technology offers more than just medical solutions – it provides dignity, agency and hope. In bridging healthcare gaps, we are not just improving health outcomes but fundamentally transforming lives.
Rebecca Hainsworth
Rebecca Hainsworth is Senior Associate at Browne Jacobson LLP, specialising in advising NHS bodies and public/private sector organisations on commercial and governance matters. With over a decade of experience, including roles at NHS Improvement and the Care Quality Commission, she is dedicated to driving positive change in healthcare.
