Exploring how digital health platforms shape gender inequalities in African societies: Access, empowerment, and exclusion.
1
Environmental Management, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
TITLE: Exploring how digital health platforms shape gender inequalities in African societies: Access, empowerment, and exclusion. Authors and Affiliations: Williams, David Chisom – University of Benin Contact Of Corresponding Author: Phone: +2349162769503 Email: destinychisom76@gmail.com
BACKGROUND:
Digital health platforms are increasingly deployed across Africa to improve healthcare delivery, yet their impact on gender equity remains underexplored. In many African societies, structural inequalities limit women’s access to health services, digital literacy, and decision making power. Understanding whether digital health tools reinforce these disparities or create opportunities for empowerment is critical to achieving inclusive health outcomes.
OBJECTIVE:
This study investigates how digital health platforms reinforce or challenge gender inequalities in African societies, with a focus on access, utilization, and empowerment.
METHODS:
A mixed methods approach was employed. Quantitative data were drawn from national health surveys and digital health usage statistics across selected African countries. Qualitative insights were obtained through semi structured interviews with healthcare providers, policymakers, and female users of digital health platforms. Comparative analysis was conducted to identify gendered patterns in access, literacy, and health outcomes.
RESULTS:
Findings reveal that while digital health platforms improve access to maternal and child health services, gender disparities persist due to unequal digital literacy, affordability, and cultural norms restricting women’s autonomy. However, targeted interventions—such as mobile maternal health applications and community based digital literacy programs—demonstrated significant potential to reduce inequalities. Women who engaged with tailored digital health tools reported increased agency in health decision making and improved health outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
Digital health platforms in Africa present both risks and opportunities for gender equity. Without deliberate policy and programmatic interventions, existing inequalities may be reinforced. However, when designed with gender sensitivity and inclusivity, digital health tools can serve as catalysts for empowering women and advancing equitable healthcare.
TITLE: Exploring how digital health platforms shape gender inequalities in African societies: Access, empowerment, and exclusion. Authors and Affiliations: Williams, David Chisom – University of Benin Contact Of Corresponding Author: Phone: +2349162769503 Email: destinychisom76@gmail.com
BACKGROUND:
Digital health platforms are increasingly deployed across Africa to improve healthcare delivery, yet their impact on gender equity remains underexplored. In many African societies, structural inequalities limit women’s access to health services, digital literacy, and decision making power. Understanding whether digital health tools reinforce these disparities or create opportunities for empowerment is critical to achieving inclusive health outcomes.
OBJECTIVE:
This study investigates how digital health platforms reinforce or challenge gender inequalities in African societies, with a focus on access, utilization, and empowerment.
METHODS:
A mixed methods approach was employed. Quantitative data were drawn from national health surveys and digital health usage statistics across selected African countries. Qualitative insights were obtained through semi structured interviews with healthcare providers, policymakers, and female users of digital health platforms. Comparative analysis was conducted to identify gendered patterns in access, literacy, and health outcomes.
RESULTS:
Findings reveal that while digital health platforms improve access to maternal and child health services, gender disparities persist due to unequal digital literacy, affordability, and cultural norms restricting women’s autonomy. However, targeted interventions—such as mobile maternal health applications and community based digital literacy programs—demonstrated significant potential to reduce inequalities. Women who engaged with tailored digital health tools reported increased agency in health decision making and improved health outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
Digital health platforms in Africa present both risks and opportunities for gender equity. Without deliberate policy and programmatic interventions, existing inequalities may be reinforced. However, when designed with gender sensitivity and inclusivity, digital health tools can serve as catalysts for empowering women and advancing equitable healthcare.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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