Cover Tatler was the proud media partner for Women’s Health in Focus hosted by Anca Griffiths and Maaike Steinebach (centre) at Asia Society (Photo: courtesy of Nicole Burak)
Tatler was the proud media partner for Women’s Health in Focus hosted by Anca Griffiths and Maaike Steinebach (centre) at Asia Society (Photo: courtesy of Nicole Burak)
1 / 1
Women’s Health in Focus brought together medical professionals, researchers and wellness enthusiasts at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre over two intensive days
On June 16 and 17, Women’s Health in Focus: A Global Summit brought together medical professionals, researchers and wellness enthusiasts at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Hosted by Tatler Front & Female Awards nominee Maaike Steinebach and founder of Femtech Future, a boutique advisory firm for women’s health and femtech; and Gen.T honouree Anca Griffiths, CEO and co-founder of OM Health Hub, the gathering addressed the blind spot in modern medicine.
“Anca and I are here because we had a dream, where women truly understand their bodies and feel equipped to take control of their health. A dream where companies recognise that supporting women’s health isn’t a perk, but smart business and the right thing to do. A dream where investors stop calling women’s health ’niche’ and start seeing it as one of the fastest moving sectors in innovation.”
The Women’s Health in Focus’s opening discussion featured Alyson J McGregor, author of Sex Matters, and Marjorie Jenkins, who exposed the gender bias embedded in contemporary healthcare with precision. Their panel set the tone for an event that refused to accept the status quo. It revealed that women spend 25 per cent more time in poor health than men on average, a gap which, if closed, could add more than US$1 trillion to the global economy annually by 2040.
Anca Griffiths and Maaike Steinebach (Photo: courtesy of Nicole Burak)
1 / 17
The calibre of the discussions went beyond typical conference rhetoric. Speakers included familiar names like wellness entrepreneur Lindsay Jang and The Women’s Foundation CEO Fiona Nott. Women’s health expert Lisa Larkin’s deep dive into mid-life healthcare illuminated systematic failures in treating women during one of the most critical phases of their lives, while the Ending Medical Gaslighting: Believe Her panel tackled the widespread dismissal of women’s symptoms, confronting uncomfortable truths about bias in healthcare. Journalist and author Marina Gerner’s screening of The Vagina Business, a film of the same name as her 2024 book, provided a sharp counterpoint to femtech hype, helping attendees distinguish innovation from marketing.
More than 40 global leaders from healthcare, technology, investment and entrepreneurship converged for substantive dialogue rather than superficial networking. The femtech showcase featured 30 start-ups building smart, scalable solutions for women’s health, whilst the inaugural Femtech Ignite session brought rapid-fire pitches to Asia—a format that energised attendees.
Women’s Health in Focus's inclusion of Traditional Chinese Medicine alongside AI-driven solutions reflected Hong Kong’s unique position as an east-meets-west healthcare innovation hub. InvestHK’s contribution on day two, also positioning Hong Kong as Asia’s innovation gateway, highlighted the summit’s ambitions beyond raising awareness.
The two-day event was no wellness theatre—it was a serious medical forum addressing cardiovascular disease, which kills more women than all cancers combined, brain health disparities and the historically underfunding of women’s health innovation. Its place on Hong Kong’s event calendar signals the city’s ambition to lead Asia’s healthcare transformation—and Steinebach and Griffiths are absolutely leading the charge.
NOW READ
‘Adoption shouldn’t be a substitute’: Kathryn Weaver’s mission to promote adoption as a first choice and reframe how society views family
Pioneering surgeon Dr Harjit Kaur says this is what prioritising women’s breast health looks like
Force of nature: Secretary Toni Loyzaga’s bold vision for disaster preparedness
Credits
Photography: Courtesy of Nicole Burak
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print, and reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs, curating star-studded events and building the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
