The call to improve women’s health and promote gender-sensitive healthcare is gaining momentum, both nationally and internationally. In 2025, the Dutch government is set to introduce its first National Strategy for Women’s Health – a step that acknowledges one vital truth: lasting progress depends on deep, sustained collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and communities.
This session explores how such collaboration is taking shape in the Netherlands, highlighting the collective efforts of research and clinical leaders, including Erasmus MC, UMC Groningen, and the TechMed Centre at the University of Twente. At TechMed, a multidisciplinary team is working to develop and adapt technologies that respond to critical gaps in knowledge and care throughout the different phases of women’s lives. These efforts contribute to pioneering initiatives such as the Netherlands’ first Women’s Health minor and the creation of national innovation networks for knowledge sharing and development.
But innovation is not just about science and technology. This session also focuses on bridging the gap between science and society – integrating the voices of patients, designing with diversity in mind, and encouraging citizen participation in research. These approaches are essential to ensure that solutions are not only technically sound but also inclusive, relevant, and built to last. Together, we will reflect on the challenges and opportunities of joining forces across sectors and disciplines to create a meaningful and sustainable impact in women’s health.
The planning
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10.45 - 10.50 | Setting the sceneAn introduction by the moderator, linking today’s theme to earlier insights and setting the stage for the speakers to come. |
10.50 - 11.10 | Advancing Women’s Health in the NetherlandsThe Netherlands Women’s Health Research and Innovation Center @ Erasmus MC, towards a national coalition |
11.10 - 11.30 | Technology for Women’s HealthOptimizing and personalizing women’s health throughout the lifespan via research, education and outreach |
11.30 - 11.50 | The changing roles of a patient associationHow the endometriosis association supports patient participation in research and education |
11.50 - 12.00 | From insights to action: closing reflectionsBeyond the Breakthrough: ambitions for the future |
The speakers
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