AI intensifying threats against women in politics
Online threats of death, rape, and physical violence against women in politics and public life have become alarmingly common, and AI may further intensify the scale and reach of such online abuse, UN Women says in an explainer. Despite 2024 being a big election year, women’s representation in political leadership remains critically low, UN Women says. Only five women were elected as Heads of State out of 31 direct presidential elections held worldwide: Iceland, Mexico, Namibia, North Macedonia, and the Republic of Moldova.
“For Mexico, Namibia, and North Macedonia, these elections were historic, as they marked the countries’ first-ever women presidents.”
“Additionally, Mexico and the United Kingdom achieved significant progress in gender equality by forming gender-equal cabinets following their respective elections, setting an important precedent for inclusive governance.”
The UN Women summary states that women’s representation in parliament remained stagnant at 27% in 2024.
“Among 39 countries with available data, 15 recorded increases in the number of women elected, while 24 experienced declines.”
“Legislated quotas proved to be a driving force for progress; for instance, stricter enforcement in the Dominican Republic resulted in an eight-point rise in women’s representation.”
“Conversely, 12 out of 16 countries without quotas experienced declines, underscoring the pivotal role such measures play in advancing gender equality in political representation.”
“This ‘mega election’ year has highlighted a stark truth: women’s political leadership remains the exception, not the norm,” says UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous. “Despite progress, harmful norms, violence, and insufficient political will continue to undermine women’s participation. We must act decisively to make gender-equal leadership a reality.”
International Women’s Day on March 8 will 2025 have the theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted by 189 governments as a blueprint for women’s and girls’ rights worldwide.
More women working in AI and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) should be a priority for the European Union, according to the European Parliament that has approved recommendations for the EU’s position in the upcoming UN global meeting on women’s rights in New York in March.
“Fight stereotypes and combat persisting inequalities in education, as well as address women’s employment rate and under-representation in certain sectors like STEM and AI”, the recommendations say.
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