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France’s decision to make abortion a constitutional could have ‘ripple effect’
France’s decision to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution could inspire change elsewhere, campaigners have said
France’s decision to explicitly include abortion rights in its constitution could have a “huge ripple effect”, campaigners have said.
France has become this week the first nation in the world to make abortion a constitutional right.
French lawmakers have enshrined access to abortion in the country’s constitution, making it much harder for abortion rights to be limited, as has occurred in countries such as the US and Poland.
However, experts have told Femtech World that the move could have a “ripple effect” and even inspire change elsewhere.
“I think other countries are more likely to realise the benefit and follow suit,” said Karli Büchling, women’s health advocate and founder of Yoni Health.
“This gives me hope in that women are finding their voices, feeling empowered and driving change in a world designed for men.”
Büchling said she hoped the change would help build trust in data so that women could feel more empowered to take control of their health.
“This would in turn mean femtech developers could design better solutions for women,” she said. “Currently, 85 per cent of femtech apps fail basic consumer needs.”
Monica Cepak, interim CEO of Wisp, a US-based telehealth company that provides reproduction and sexual health treatment, said: “We’ve seen Europe lead the way in other areas of women’s healthcare – they’ve been steps ahead with contraception – and this is just another example of a country doing right by women.
“As abortion care takes centre stage on this year’s US ballot, we expect to see women continue to fight for their bodily autonomy.”
Raegan McDonald-Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide, a US-based organisation working towards accelerating sexual and reproductive wellbeing, highlighted that technology plays a “critical” role in connecting women to abortion services and said it was imperative that these services remain safe and trustworthy.
“Femtech plays a vital role in connecting individuals to the reproductive and sexual healthcare services they need to take control of their life,” she explained.
“Whether in countries like France where access to abortion services has been protected, or in the US where abortion seekers face great barriers to care, it’s important for the tech supporting abortion seekers to remain trustworthy, safe and protective of their information.”
Fashion, beauty and lifestyle retailers have joined the American Heart Association to raise awareness of heart disease in women.
The Go Red. Shop with Heart. campaign launched at the New York Stock Exchange on 30 January.
Retailers will ask for donations at checkout in February or donate a percentage of proceeds from selected items.
More than four in 10 women in the US have some form of cardiovascular disease, a term for heart and blood vessel conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
Heart disease and stroke kill more women in the US each year than all forms of cancer combined.
Brands taking part include Away, Commando, Lafayette 148, Michael Kors, Reebok, ShopSimon.com, Summersalt, Torrid and White & Warren.
More than 40 other nationwide retailers are also inviting customers to support the organisation this February through its Life Is Why campaign.
Nancy Brown is chief executive officer of the American Heart Association.
She said: “Nearly 1 in 3 women die from cardiovascular disease each year, yet women are still profoundly under-represented in the clinical research, science and medicine that could save their lives.
“Retailers and consumers are uniquely positioned to turn everyday moments into meaningful change through Go Red. Shop with Heart.”
According to the American Heart Association 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US and stroke is the number four cause of death.
The organisation projects that at least six in 10 US adults will have cardiovascular disease within the next 30 years and related costs are expected to triple.
However, approximately 80 per cent of cardiovascular disease is preventable through lifestyle changes.
Mindy Grossman is a volunteer board member at the American Heart Association and partner and vice chair of Consello.
Grossman said: “Retail has always been a powerful connector.
“Shop with Heart gives our industry a shared platform to lead with purpose and unite consumers in support of heart health.”
Milken Institute has launched the Women’s Health Network digital platform with Velir x Brooklyn Data to speed collaboration and investment across research, care and technology.
The new website creates a hub for members to share content, connect and coordinate projects, with branding and the first public Drupal build delivered by Velir x Brooklyn Data. A launch video premiered on 4 November 2025 at the inaugural steering committee and member luncheon in Washington DC, then featured at the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit.
Phase two is scheduled for February 2026, adding member log-ins for networking and content exchange. Phase three in April 2026 will add advanced collaboration tools and expanded community features.
“This launch represents the type of mission-driven, cross-sector digital work we are incredibly proud to support,” said Eliza Pare, vice-president of client services at Velir. “The Women’s Health Network is poised to transform collaboration in women’s health, and we’re honoured to help build the digital infrastructure that will make that possible.”
Chaired by former first lady Dr Jill Biden, the Women’s Health Network brings together leaders from industry, startups, investors, health systems, patient groups, academia and philanthropy. More than 100 members have joined, with a steering group that includes organisations such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Amgen, Deloitte, GE Healthcare, Merck, Microsoft, Northwell Health, Organon and others.
Innovate UK has opened the Women in Innovation Awards for 2025 to 2026, with grants of up to £75,000 for as many as 60 winners.
HealthTech winners in 2024 included a tampon that prevents bacterial infections, an AI audio device for visually impaired people, and an app for gynaecological conditions.
The awards target female founders of late-stage start-ups with a minimum viable product, early user traction or revenue, growing teams and plans to raise significant capital within 12 to 24 months.
Liz Kendall, science secretary, said: “The Women in Innovation Awards are unlocking the UK’s untapped potential within our community of women innovators; if men and women started and scaled businesses at the same rate this could be worth as much as £250 billion for the UK economy.
“This record £4.5 million investment will empower ambitious women founders to scale their businesses, drive economic growth, and inspire the next generation of innovators.”
Applicants must operate in advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, or life sciences, three of the high growth sectors identified in the UK’s Industrial Strategy. Winners receive up to £75,000 plus training, networking and role-modelling opportunities, with tailored support also offered to highly commended applicants.
The competition opened on 26 November 2025 and closes on 4 February 2026.
Since 2016, Innovate UK has invested more than £11m in 200 women innovators through these awards, with up to 60 more to be funded this year.
Last year’s programme drew criticism after Innovate UK initially said it would fund 50 women, then announced only 25 awards at £75,000 each. Following a campaign led by Emma Jarvis, founder of Dearbump, and the ‘Let’s Fund More Women’ group of more than 400 supporters, Innovate UK reversed the decision and confirmed all 50 awards and £4m, saying it was “a mistake and we prioritised wrongly”.
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