UNFPA Applauds Zambia’s Commitment to Women’s Digital Inclusion in Health Innovation

 

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has praised the Zambian government for its commitment to advancing women’s digital inclusion, describing it as a transformative step toward improving citizens’ quality of life through innovation.

Speaking in Lusaka during the Data, Dignity and Delivering Impact: Scaling Women’s Health Innovation through Equitable Technologies meeting, UNFPA Zambia Country Representative Seth Broekman emphasized the importance of combining technology with human-centered approaches.

Mr. Broekman noted that UNFPA, in collaboration with Zambia’s Ministry of Health Zambia and other stakeholders, is accelerating progress in digital health solutions. He highlighted that these efforts are driven by both strong government ownership and the integration of global technical expertise.

While underscoring the role of innovation, he cautioned that technology alone cannot solve health challenges. Instead, he stressed the need to safeguard women’s dignity as digital tools are introduced and expanded across healthcare systems.

A key initiative under this effort is a three-year programme funded by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). The programme, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health, is already making significant impact—reaching more than 48,600 women across 78 health facilities nationwide. It also supports the scale-up of point-of-care ultrasound services, enhancing access to timely and life-saving maternal healthcare.

Earlier at the event, Lydia Zigomo, UNFPA Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, commended Zambia’s approach. She described the country as a compelling example of how responsible innovation can be effectively integrated into health systems, particularly through initiatives that prioritize women’s inclusion.

The meeting highlighted the growing recognition that equitable access to digital health technologies is essential not only for improving health outcomes but also for empowering women and strengthening healthcare delivery systems across Zambia.