The term “Femtech,” coined by entrepreneur Ida Tin in 2016, represents a growing sector of health technology focused on addressing women’s health issues. Initially centered on menstruation and fertility, the industry has expanded to include maternity care, menopause support, mental health, sexual wellness, and other conditions that disproportionately affect women. Femtech targets not only cisgender women but also gender nonconforming and sexually minority individuals, aiming to deliver personalized and accessible healthcare solutions through digital innovation.
Globally, the femtech market is experiencing significant growth. In India alone, projections indicate the sector will more than triple in size between 2023 and 2030, driven by strong domestic demand. Women are reported to be 75 percent more likely than men to use digital health tools, underscoring the market’s potential. Despite this, femtech companies receive only a small fraction of total health technology investment, accounting for merely 1-2 percent of funding. Medical research funding for female reproductive health remains similarly limited, reflecting systemic gender biases.
Several structural barriers hinder femtech’s development. Women remain underrepresented in technology sectors, holding less than a third of the global tech workforce and only 32 percent of senior management positions. This lack of representation impacts product development priorities and investment decisions. Female-led startups face difficulties securing venture capital, with male founders receiving funding at four times the rate of female founders. Additionally, female-founded femtech companies raise 23 percent less capital per deal than their male counterparts on average.
Medical research has historically focused on male subjects, resulting in a significant gender data gap that challenges femtech innovators. The lack of robust clinical data on women’s health impedes evidence-based product development and complicates regulatory approval processes. Moreover, cultural stigma and social taboos surrounding female health topics continue to limit public discourse and market acceptance. Reports from Europe in 2025 reveal that femtech advertisements and content have faced censorship on social media platforms, while male health products encounter fewer restrictions, affecting business growth and customer reach.
Policy support for femtech remains inadequate. Existing digital health initiatives and startup support programs often overlook femtech as a distinct area of focus. This omission reflects a broader lack of recognition for gender-specific health innovation needs, despite growing consumer demand and the critical role of femtech in advancing digital inclusion and public health equity.
As global conversations around gender equality in digital transformation intensify, experts call for more targeted policies and funding to support femtech innovation. By fostering an enabling ecosystem, stakeholders can better address the health needs of women and marginalized groups, ensuring that digital health advancements benefit all.
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