Digital health technologies (DHTs) are playing an increasingly vital role in transforming health systems, particularly in improving outcomes and autonomy for women. These technologies, defined by WHO as digital tools with distinct health objectives, are enhancing access to healthcare, enabling self-monitoring and strengthening women's participation in health-related decision-making. A global scoping review of 80 studies examined the health, empowerment and gender equality outcomes of DHT use among women, identifying both substantial benefits and persistent barriers that influence access and engagement.
Health Gains Across Medical Domains
The review revealed that DHTs offer broad health benefits for women, with the majority of studies focused on maternal, reproductive and gynaecological health. Digital platforms have supported women through antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum phases, aiding in areas such as medication adherence, breastfeeding and information about pregnancy and newborn care. These tools enhance access to screening programmes, promote lifestyle changes and encourage attention to personal health.
Mobile applications and messaging services, including WhatsApp and Viber, facilitated communication between women and healthcare providers, particularly in the postpartum period. Mental health was another area of impact, with digital technologies linked to improved mood, reduced anxiety, increased feelings of fulfilment and a reduction in social isolation. Though the majority of findings were positive, a small proportion of studies reported psychological discomfort or emotional burden associated with DHT use, highlighting the need for context-sensitive application.
DHTs also extended into areas such as psychiatry, endocrinology, oncology and emergency medicine. They supported self-care and symptom tracking, provided education about disease prevention and helped ensure appropriate use of medication. Moreover, some studies addressed the use of DHTs in supporting home-based pregnancy termination, where digital tools contributed to safer experiences and improved emotional support.
Advancing Empowerment and Gender Equality
The use of DHTs contributed significantly to women's empowerment and gender equality. These technologies improved access to vital resources such as health information, services, financial tools and social capital. Women gained skills in health literacy and communication, and many reported increased self-awareness, confidence and control over health decisions.
Digital tools were often described as mechanisms that supported autonomy by offering flexibility, confidentiality and a sense of ownership. Across the included studies, DHTs enabled women to speak more freely about their needs, increased their ability to manage health independently and facilitated their participation in household and community health decisions.
DHTs also improved communication with healthcare providers and family members, enhancing shared decision-making and relationship dynamics. Some platforms raised awareness about gender rights, supported actions against violence and contributed to financial literacy and access to affordable health services. These outcomes were especially relevant in diverse social and cultural contexts, where DHTs functioned as bridges to information and agency.
Challenges in Access and Use
Despite these benefits, the review identified numerous barriers that affect women’s access to and use of DHTs. These included financial challenges such as the cost of devices, mobile data, subscriptions and maintenance. In low- and middle-income countries, these financial burdens limited digital health adoption and contributed to a growing digital divide.
Technological and logistical barriers also emerged, including limited infrastructure, geographic constraints and complexity of content. Women faced additional difficulties related to digital ownership, education level, language, age and transportation. Privacy concerns were a significant factor, particularly in contexts where women’s digital activity could be monitored or controlled within households. These concerns, shaped by cultural norms and social dynamics, often led to self-censorship or avoidance of DHTs.
Must Read: Empowering Women’s Health: Key Femtech Innovations for 2025
The review highlighted that barriers were not only obstacles to access but could also become negative effects associated with DHT use. Feelings of impersonality, fear of exposure and psychological discomfort were cited as risks that must be considered in the design and implementation of digital health interventions.
Implications for Policy and Practice
The evidence suggests that DHTs are effective tools for improving women’s health and autonomy when integrated thoughtfully. However, to realise their full potential, interventions must be designed with awareness of the social, economic and cultural barriers that women face. The review proposes a set of actions for stakeholders, including expanding infrastructure, supporting digital literacy and addressing cost-related limitations.
These actions also include improving the quality of data collection on women’s access to technology, promoting legislation for gender equality in education and health and supporting community-based educational reforms. Coordinated efforts from governments, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and civil society are essential to overcome the structural inequalities that currently restrict digital access.
Importantly, the review emphasised that future research and health programmes should prioritise inclusive design and target underrepresented groups, particularly women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and specific ethnic or racial communities. Interdisciplinary collaboration, combining social sciences, policy and health expertise, is necessary to produce evidence-based, context-sensitive solutions.
Digital health technologies have demonstrated substantial benefits in improving health outcomes, enhancing self-care and advancing empowerment among women. They support autonomy, increase communication and facilitate equitable access to healthcare information and services. However, widespread disparities in digital access and use continue to limit these benefits for many women globally. Financial, infrastructural and sociocultural barriers require targeted, collaborative interventions to ensure that DHTs fulfil their potential as tools for health equity and gender parity. By addressing these challenges through inclusive policy and practice, digital health can play a transformative role in shaping a more equitable future for women’s health and wellbeing.
Source: The Lancet Digital Health
Image Credit: iStock
