UN Hosts Symposium on Digital Tech for Women's Health

• There was a symposium on women’s health and digital technology at the UN in New York
• Over 50 officials and experts from the UN and digital health organizations attended
• Digital technology for gender equality and women’s health was discussed

Digital technology is being utilised as an increasing way of advancing gender equality and improving health outcomes for women, and China's digital health initiatives are generating interest amongst international organizations.

On Tuesday the UN Headquarters in New York, hosted a symposium entitled ‘Digital Intelligence Empowering Women’s Health and Development’ to recognise the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women and was attended by over 50 participants from four different UN bodies, independent experts as well as medical professionals from both the health and digital technology sectors.

In a video message addressed to the symposium, Chen Xiaoxia, Chairperson of China Women’s Development Foundation (CWDF) stated: ‘over the years CWDF has been committed to empowering women and achieving sustainable development through public welfare services.’

‘In pursuit of our 10th anniversary this year, we have recently adopted digital transformation and are working towards integrating digital technologies to strengthen health education, facilitate health screenings, and empower women.’

During a panel discussion on Women’s Reproductive Health in the Age of Innovation held on March 14,. Bayaraa provided examples of how Digital Innovations in areas such as diagnostics are positively impacting women’s health.

She also highlighted that “China has utilized Artificial Intelligence in the diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers with greater accuracy than past methods and fewer errors”.

Bayaraa spoke to how digital innovations can bridge geographical barriers for obtaining healthcare services through remote consultations for individuals who live in locations that are difficult to reach. Additionally, robots are assisting with the provision of healthcare services to seniors, through the use of humanoid robots and assistive robots.

This event was jointly presented by the CWDF, UNFPA, and Inclusive Health Lab of Tencent’s Sustainable Social Value initiative, and supported by the Sino-American Friendship Association.