Tech’s Role in Advancing Women’s Sexual, Reproductive Rights

According to Kena Health, a South African-based HealthTech company that improves healthcare through multidisciplinary clinical teams, led by nurses in over 450 clinics across the country. Social media and other forms of technology offer an excellent means to reach large audiences. However, technology plays an equally, if not more, crucial role in providing access to information or assistance that may be difficult to obtain offline. This is especially pertinent for women and girls, who often face challenges or risks in accessing equitable healthcare, particularly concerning sexual and reproductive health.

Mortality rate

“The challenges women and girls face when it comes to health issues generally, and those relating to sexual and reproductive health in particular, are very clear in Africa. According to the World Health Organization -WHO, Africa’s maternal mortality rate of 525 maternal deaths per 1 000 live births remains well above the target of 140 deaths per 1 000 live births.”

“Likewise, only 52% of women in relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa can access modern family planning, and abortion is freely available in only four out of the continent’s 54 countries.”

Then there’s the scourge of gender-based violence, the figures for which are simply shameful. One South African woman is raped every three hours, and South African women are killed by their intimate partners at a rate five times higher than the global average.

“All these statistics and others highlight a significant challenge that must be addressed, especially if we are to fulfill the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 3 (good health and well-being) and 5 (gender equality).”

Women empowerment

“According to Kena Health, achieving these goals is crucial for women, given their pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of the next generation and their substantial contributions to the workforce.”

According to Kena Health, what are the reasons behind women’s current poor health outcomes as mentioned above? It’s a multifaceted issue, including factors like social stigma, cost, and convenience. The encouraging news is that technology, such as the innovative app developed by Kena Health, has emerged as one of the most promising solutions to overcome these challenges:

• Access to healthcare is crucial. At its core, women require the ability to consult with appropriate medical professionals. For many, reaching a clinic and enduring lengthy queues pose significant hurdles. Additionally, there’s stigma attached to seeking contraception or treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, especially among adolescent girls and younger women.
• Cost is another major obstacle. While state clinics offer free services, those seeking to save time or maintain privacy must be willing to pay higher fees in the private sector.
• Kena Health’s app offers an elegant technological solution. It allows women to connect with medical professionals via their smartphones at their convenience and in privacy. Besides the convenience and privacy, costs are substantially reduced. For instance, a consultation with a general practitioner on the app costs R185, compared to approximately R500 for an in-person visit. If a prescription is required, it’s delivered within the app or via email, allowing patients to forward it to their preferred pharmacy.
• Empowerment through knowledge and support is vital. Technologies like the Kena Health app enable women and girls to access essential healthcare information not readily available in their communities, ranging from general physical health to specialized areas such as reproductive health, maternal care, and mental wellness.
• The app facilitates easy access to professional support, a critical need for women facing mental stress, particularly in cases of gender-based violence and other gender-related challenges.
• In this regard, Kena Health assists women in navigating towards gender-sensitive healthcare, helping them circumvent coercion and social pressures.
• Advocacy is integral. As a company and through its network of service providers, Kena Health is well-positioned to advocate for reproductive rights as inherent human rights. Our advocacy efforts are bolstered by our commitment to providing women and girls with affordable, convenient, confidential, and high-quality healthcare.

Be the change that you want to see

It’s often said that we should embody the change we wish to see. While this sentiment is powerful, enabling people to enact change is even more potent. Technology is offering women and girls new healthcare avenues, thereby empowering them and driving the change we all aspire to see.

In this way, too, Kena Health can help women navigate the path to gender-sensitive healthcare and avoid the coercion and social pressure that is so difficult to overcome.

Source: Kena Health