Founded by Dr. Olena Ivanova, a global women's health researcher and FemTech advisor, and Julia Ivanytska, a FemTech analyst, and project manager, the community aims to foster collaboration between various stakeholders in the women's health ecosystem. By bringing together companies, startups, researchers, scientists, healthcare professionals, investors, hubs, and NGOs, the initiative seeks to drive innovation and address the unique health challenges faced by women in Ukraine and beyond.

FemTech, which leverages technology to improve and support women's health and wellbeing, has experienced significant growth globally. The industry is projected to reach a valuation of $50 billion by 2025, highlighting the immense potential for innovation in women's health. Both, the World Economic Forum and McKinsey, emphasise that improving women's health represents a substantial economic growth opportunity.

The launch of this initiative comes at a critical moment, as Russia's war in Ukraine continues to unfold. The humanitarian situation in Ukraine has left approximately 14.6 million people within Ukraine and 2.2 million Ukrainian refugees in European countries urgently requiring critical health services, prevention, and support programs. Russia's war in Ukraine has profoundly impacted women's health, creating a multifaceted crisis that spans sexual, reproductive, mental, and physical health and well-being. The war has significantly amplified existing risks of gender-based violence, introducing new challenges such as conflict-related sexual violence and increased vulnerability to sexual exploitation in refugee-receiving countries. Access to essential reproductive health services, including contraception and prenatal care, has been severely disrupted, leading to increased risks of pregnancy and delivery complications. Women face shortages of menstrual products and contraception. Mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, have surged, particularly among mothers and caregivers grappling with displacement and trauma. Beyond immediate health concerns, women bear increased caregiving responsibilities, face heightened vulnerability to trafficking, and struggle with rising poverty levels that affect their overall health. Women fleeing Russia's war in Ukraine continue to face barriers to sexual and reproductive health care in the European Union, including language barriers, unmet information needs, and service fees.

The number of women in the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been steadily increasing, with over 48,000 servicewomen as of September 2024. However, service conditions often fail to address the specific health needs of female personnel. Essential items such as menstrual products, pain relief medication, and contraception are not provided, and there is a shortage of gynecologists in front-line hospitals. Only in 2023, Ukraine introduced women's military uniforms and certified the first bulletproof vest designed specifically for servicewomen, considering physical differences from men. Women returning from war face numerous health issues, including hormonal imbalances, breast pathologies, ovarian problems, and infertility, largely due to constant stress and inadequate medical care. Ukrainian military women also confront gender biases, sexism, sexual harassment, and assault. Recently, in October 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a procedure for material, medical, psychological, and social support of military personnel, taking into account the needs of both women and men.

The destruction of healthcare infrastructure and relocation has left critical forms of support out of reach for many women, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions. Despite the ongoing challenges posed by the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine's tech industry, including health tech, has demonstrated remarkable growth, with women playing an increasingly important role in the startup ecosystem. This resilience underscores the potential for innovation and progress in the face of adversity.

In this context, the Women's Health & FemTech Ukraine community can play an important role in stimulating the development of technologies that can overcome these barriers. From telemedicine solutions that provide remote access to healthcare professionals to mobile apps that offer health education and support, the potential for FemTech to make a significant impact is immense.

The focus of FemTech Ukraine will be on building a collaborative platform to share information, establish partnerships between research, healthcare, startups, and NGO partners, and provide mutual support for raising funding and advancing innovative solutions in women's health. As FemTech Ukraine grows, we call for national and international support and collaboration. Those interested in supporting our mission can visit the website for more information on how to contribute or become a part of the community.

We are planning many activities for 2025, including webinars, book clubs, surveys, and white papers, so stay tuned.