Closing the Gap: Tech Innovators Get UNICEF Support for Women’s Health Solutions
Last week in Pretoria, South Africa, a cohort of tech founders from across Africa and Asia celebrated their selection into the inaugural UNICEF Femtech Ventures program. This five-year initiative aims to accelerate solutions addressing critical gaps in women’s health and safety through technological innovation.
The program, backed by the Government of Sweden and Temasek Foundation, focuses on practical applications of AI, data science, and blockchain across maternal care, safe mobility, gender-based violence response, and financial inclusion. Over 1,100 applications from 85 countries were received, with more than half originating from Africa.
“The most impactful innovations for women and girls are already being developed – by the entrepreneurs closest to these challenges,” stated Thomas Davin, global director at the UNICEF Office of Innovation. “UNICEF Femtech Ventures provides the resources and partnerships they need to expand access to proven solutions.”
The selected startups will receive up to $100,000 in equity-free funding alongside mentorship and technical assistance for a year.
First Cohort Highlights:
- Dotoh (Benin): E-health platform providing accessible care information
- SafeRide by Esheria (Kenya): Safe mobility service connecting women with trusted drivers
- HLlama by Umbaji (Togo): Maternal health chatbot offering personalized support
- Feel by Luna (Tunisia): Comprehensive e-health services for women
- DawaMom by Dawa Health: Chatbot providing maternal health guidance
- YouthShield by Kairos (Burkina Faso): Social media monitoring tool detecting gender-based violence signals
The program represents a strategic shift from documenting problems to actively investing in solutions, recognizing that local innovations often hold the key to scalable impact. UNICEF is seeking additional partners to support this growing ecosystem of women’s health tech founders.