Within the global health and impact investment space, the silence around crucial aspects of women’s well-being is deafening. Menopause, menstruation, and pleasure remain shrouded in stigma and secrecy, overlooked by mainstream discourse, sidelined in healthcare agendas, and forgotten by funders. Yet, within these silenced spaces lies a goldmine of opportunities – opportunities to harness the immense potential of a financially viable approach to societal transformation, economic empowerment, and gender equity.
Investing in taboo areas of women’s health isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a savvy business move. Countless research demonstrates that addressing women’s health needs leads to improved productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and increased economic participation. For instance, every $1 invested in contraceptive services lower- and middle-income countries reduces pregnancy and newborn costs by nearly 3x . Supporting the health of 3.9 women globally would pump $1 trillion into economic productivity. We don’t need another Mc Kinsey report to tell us this. We need action.
Tapping into these underserved markets presents a significant opportunity for financial growth and innovation for both the beneficiaries of the solutions and its funders. By investing in solutions that address the unique health challenges faced by women, especially those that have historically been neglected, investors can drive positive societal change while generating attractive financial returns.
Why is it then, that we have not made greater progress in women’s health and in some countries, we are going backwards? From the reversal of Roe v. Wade in the United States to the vote to overturn the ban against Female Genital Mutilation in Gambia, it is clear that the progress we are making in advancing women’s health is not moving fast enough.
Join us in this pivotal session as we illuminate the urgent need to un-silence women’s health and mobilize resources for change and challenge the echo chambers that are holding us back.
