UNU-IIGH’s work package Digital Health Security and Governance recently published an impact case study of IIGH's previous work that focused on how gender inequalities are embedded within the digital health ecosystem. These disparities restrict equitable access to, use of, and benefits from digital health technologies, particularly for women and girls, thereby deepening the gender digital divide in many regions. The case study underscores the urgent need for strengthened data governance frameworks and gender-responsive legislation as critical enablers of digital security and the effectiveness of digital health interventions.
Drawing from multi-stakeholder engagements and insights from global forums, the case study sheds light on how current digital health governance processes often fail to account for gendered power dynamics, resulting in the exclusion of women and marginalised groups from meaningful participation and decision-making. It also outlines key recommendations for designing inclusive digital health systems, emphasising the importance of intersectional data, equitable design, and locally grounded governance mechanisms.
This publication forms part of UNU-IIGH’s ongoing efforts to advance evidence-informed, equity-focused digital health governance, with a particular emphasis on strengthening stakeholders’ capacity to design and implement gender-transformative digital health programmes. It reflects the Institute’s continued contribution to shaping more inclusive and accountable digital health systems.
Read the full case study: https://go.unu.edu/nbfXq
About the Work Package: Digital Health Security and Governance
The UNU-IIGH's Digital Health Security and Governance work package aims to challenge colonial legacies and power asymmetries that undermine equitable digital health governance. It focuses on strengthening health data governance, particularly in relation to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and promoting diversity in the design and development of digital technologies. Through partnerships with UN agencies, academic institutions, and global experts, UNU-IIGH serves as a platform for critical dialogue, capacity building, and the development of tools and policy guidance to ensure inclusive, rights-based digital health systems, especially for communities left behind due to digital gaps.
