WED
WOMEN ENGAGED IN DEVELOPMENT
Empowered sustainably
KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR) of the University of Nairobi convened a landmark high-level meeting that launched Kenya’s national dialogue on Fem-Tech and women’s health innovation. Held from 17th to 19th March 2026 in Nairobi, the convening brought together policymakers, regulators, researchers, academic institutions, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to initiate coordinated discussions on the future of Fem-Tech governance, regulation, innovation, and implementation in Kenya.
The meeting served as an important first platform for orienting policymakers and health leaders to Fem-Tech concepts, global trends, innovation pathways, and the policy implications of emerging women’s health technologies. Stakeholders reviewed Kenya’s digital health and regulatory landscape, identified governance gaps, and explored opportunities for building a coordinated and gender-responsive Fem-Tech ecosystem.
A major outcome of the convening was the co-development and review of draft policy briefs focused on strengthening Kenya’s Fem-Tech ecosystem. The convening laid the foundation for continued national engagement on Fem-Tech and created a shared platform for stakeholders to begin shaping evidence-informed, locally responsive, and equitable women’s health innovation policies in Kenya.
KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR) convened a second high-level meeting to continue Kenya’s national dialogue on Fem-Tech and women’s health innovation. Held on 4th May 2026 in Nairobi, the convening brought together policymakers, regulators, digital health experts, researchers, civil society, media, and development partners to review and refine draft policy briefs to strengthen Kenya’s Fem-Tech ecosystem.
The meeting brought together key institutions, including the Ministry of Health, the Digital Health Authority (DHA), the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), PATH, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), Jhpiego, Wanahabari, and academia through the University of Nairobi. Their participation was important in advancing discussions on digital health governance, regulatory pathways, environmental sustainability, gender-responsive innovation, health financing, media advocacy, and implementation pathways for women’s health technologies in Kenya.
Building on the initial March 2026 convening, stakeholders reviewed recommendations on regulatory sandboxes, digital health infrastructure, interoperability, data systems, and policy coordination needed to support safe, evidence-informed, and locally responsive Fem-Tech innovation in Kenya.
The convening marked another important step in strengthening multi-sector collaboration and advancing national policy discussions on the future of women’s health innovation in Kenya.
During the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS) Central Branch 50th Annual Symposium held on 29–30 May 2026, delegates were privileged to receive a presentation from Prof. Anne Kihara, a past KOGS President and a leading advocate for women's health. Delivered under the symposium theme, “From Evidence to Impact: Driving Better Maternal and Reproductive Health Outcomes in Kenya,” the presentation highlighted the transformative potential of the EWENE initiative and Fem-Tech (Female Technology) in strengthening maternal and reproductive healthcare delivery across Kenya. Coming just days after the national EWENE Presidential Launch on 28 May 2026, the presentation provided a timely advocacy framework for healthcare practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders attending the symposium. Prof. Kihara drew important connections between EWENE and key symposium sub-themes, including Digital Health, Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR), and Healthcare Financing, demonstrating how technology-driven innovations can accelerate progress toward improved reproductive health outcomes. The presentation formed part of the KOGS Central Branch's 50-year celebrations and reinforced the critical role of innovation, evidence, and advocacy in shaping the future of maternal and reproductive health in Kenya. Watch the full presentation below.
The FemTech Team at the University of Nairobi convened the 3rd FemTech High-Level Meeting, bringing together key stakeholders from Ministry of Health, Kenya, Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, CHAK Kenya, Health NGOs Network - HENNET KENYA, NEST360, Willow Health Media, Center for Public Health and Development & Hatch Technologies.
Building on the outcomes of our previous high-level engagements, this meeting focused on the policy and regulatory frameworks required to advance women's health through Kenya’s emerging FemTech ecosystem. Participants explored opportunities to strengthen policy frameworks that support equity, accessibility, and sustainability in women's healthcare.
As FemTech continues to evolve, strategic partnerships will be essential in unlocking the potential of digital health technologies, diagnostics, telehealth platforms, maternal health innovations, and other solutions that improve health outcomes for women and girls.
We appreciate all stakeholders who contributed their expertise and insights. Together, we are advancing a stronger FemTech ecosystem that aligns with Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage and digital health ambitions.
Prof. Anne Beatrice Kihara, FIGO President Emeritus, delivered an inspiring presentation on "The Role of FemTech in Transforming Women's Health" at the Inaugural PPH Conference 2026
She showcased how digital innovation and emerging technologies are improving access, strengthening clinical decision-making, empowering women with health information, and enabling earlier, more effective interventions.
Her presentation highlighted the immense potential of FemTech to bridge healthcare gaps and accelerate progress toward safer pregnancies and childbirth. It is a powerful tool in the fight to end preventable maternal deaths.
The Fem-Tech Team has officially begun implementing its work in Makueni County, launching activities under Strategic Pillar 2 of the project to strengthen the county's digital health ecosystem for women. Building on Makueni's strong digital health foundation, the initiative will work with county stakeholders to advance research, innovation, and evidence generation that supports equitable access to digital health solutions for women across the life course.
The next phase of the project will evaluate the county's digital health environment to generate longitudinal evidence on regulatory gaps, pricing, availability, equity impacts, and scale readiness across Fem-Tech innovations in telehealth, wearable technologies, and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). The findings will inform policies, investment decisions, and scalable interventions that strengthen women's health services while positioning Makueni as a model county for digital health innovation in Kenya.
Key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, regulatory agencies, academia, development partners, convened to validate five policy briefs developed under the Advancing Kenya's Women's Health Through a Stronger Fem-Tech Ecosystem project. The meeting provided a platform to review evidence-informed policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Kenya's Fem-Tech ecosystem and improving women's health across the life course.
Through structured discussions and consensus building, participants refined and endorsed the policy briefs for submission to the Ministry of Health. The validated recommendations mark an important step towards creating an enabling environment for innovation, regulation, and equitable access to digital health technologies that improve health outcomes for women and girls across Kenya.