Organisation:
Resource Link:
Published in 2021, Link
My Key Takeaways
Femtech – let’s talk a bit about solutions which improve the quality of life for women in SoutheastAsia (“SEA”).
We typically hear more about femtech in Europe and the US, but thankfully this ecosystem is picking up in SEA too.
♀️ In this report by fermata, investors and founders can discover SEA’s 2021 femtech ecosystem across different categories like:
- Sexual Wellness
- Fertility & Infertility
- Period Health
- Menopause
- Pregnancy & Postpartum
- Wellness
- Men’s Health – it’s important to look at FemHealth holistically!
♀️ Femtech, though nascent, is picking up momentum in SEA
In 2019, the global femtech industry generated $820.6M in revenue & received $592M in VC investment (PitchBook).
There were 318 global femtech companies in 2020 and SEA contributed a modest number of 41 in 2021 – more than half were from Singapore (24), followed by Thailand (6).
♀️ Is femtech considered late to arrive in SEA?
“When it comes to comparing Western & Eastern countries and how they should be, there is often a bias towards a western-centric point of view”
“Instead of asking whether femtech is late to arrive in SEA compared to its western originator, let’s ask what type of femtech products should be the focus in which country based on the population’s needs and readiness.”
Thoughtful perspective from fermata Inc.’s Founder, Dr. Amina Sugimoto. 🤔
♀️ Sadly, gender bias is way too pervasive, extending even beyond professional spheres to healthcare
The article asserts that women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, ignored, or denied by doctors, causing well-documented harm.
“For instance doctors & nurses prescribe less pain medication to women than men after surgery, despite reporting more frequent & severe pain levels (Diane et al. 2001).”
There are 5 times the number of studies about male erectile dysfunction compared to painful sex in women (PubMed).
♀️ Societal norms + COVID-19: Femtech companies exist because women are not getting the proper care they need during these challenging times.
“Women with children struggle more with stress, anxiety around job insecurity and difficulty maintaining work-life balance due to a longer “double-shift” of paid and unpaid work, especially with school closures and limited availability of at-home care services” (WEF’s 2021 Global Gender Gap Report).
“Many countries in SEA also do not have a national sex education requirement… Uncomprehensive sex education programs in schools do not prepare young adults to exercise their reproductive rights in present and future stages of life.”
“There are very few studies relating to menopausal symptoms in women and how best to approach changes in the human body after age 50+” [Fermata]
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Women represent at least half of SEA, yet there are far too little innovation and funding to support their needs at different stages of their lives.
Timely for investors & companies to take a closer look at this important tech for good opportunity in Singapore & SEA!
Follow my LinkedIn post here.
About Zhilin SIM
Having worked and lived in Singapore, the Nordics, China, Spain, UK, I’m now based in Paris.
I’m fluent in English, French and Mandarin, and I’m learning Arabic because it’s a beautiful and fascinating language.
My team creates and supports one-many initiatives connecting corporate and startup ecosystems in Europe to business and innovation opportunities in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
I’m passionate about horticulture, watercolour, startups/tech as well as French cuisine, Peranakan kueh techniques and other global cuisines.
Feel free to connect with me if you think my network in Europe and Asia could be of benefit to your business and innovation activities.
