Blog of Joseph Mason, SI Advocacy and Communications Coordinator.
The first session on day 2 of the International Conference of NGOs at UNESCO focused on the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – which is set to be reviewed at the upcoming Commission on the Status of Women in March 2025.
The Beijing Declaration and CEDAW have been foundational for women’s rights, but as we approach its 30th anniversary, gaps in addressing contemporary challenges, such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), have become evident. Cyber violence, including revenge porn, sextortion, and AI-generated deepfakes (96% of which are pornographic and 99% target women), remains largely unregulated, with insufficient international coordination to combat it.
Regulatory efforts, such as the EU’s Digital Services Act, are beginning to hold digital platforms accountable. France has also established a new laboratory fostering global collaboration to combat cyber violence, launching its first call for projects this year. Selected initiatives will be showcased at the Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris, focusing on awareness campaigns and tech solutions for safer online spaces for women and girls.
Perspectives from UNESCO and Civil Society Leaders
One of the Panellists for this talk, Begoña Lasagabaster, the Director of the Gender Equality Division at UNESCO, stressed that while progress has been made, many issues affecting women’s rights are regressing. She highlighted the male-dominated nature of tech decision-making, warning that AI and data biases could reinforce harmful stereotypes, such as deprioritising women’s healthcare needs. Increasing misinformation further threatens women’s rights defenders, journalists, and activists.
Despite these challenges, there are efforts to integrate gender equality into digital policies, AI governance, and even ocean economies. The upcoming Pact for the Future includes stronger commitments to women’s rights, but sustained accountability from civil society remains crucial.
Institutional Change and Gender-Based Violence Prevention
Bhavani Rao, the UNESCO Chair on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment stressed the need for systemic institutional change. Referring to a successful example in India, over 33,000 soldiers have undergone gender-sensitivity training, with 45,000 more to follow. UNESCO’s wider efforts also focus on social media’s role in shaping gender norms, ensuring that initiatives involve men as allies rather than adversaries.
AI and Gender: Potential and Risks
Odipo Sharola of Women in Artificial Intelligence Africa highlighted AI’s dual role in both combating and exacerbating gender inequality. While AI can aid in predictive analysis and data collection, it often reinforces gender biases due to a lack of female representation in its development. Greater investment is needed in ethical AI applications to support women’s rights while protecting privacy and security. These talking points were something I found particularly refreshing to hear – as the dangers of AI have been discussed at length in recent months, it is worth also considering the potential value that these new digital tools and technologies can bring to women and girls around the world.
Looking Ahead: The Challenge of Gender Parity
A key concern raised was UNESCO’s role in addressing the root causes of gender inequality, rather than just its symptoms. While economic arguments—such as gender-equal countries having stronger GDPs—are often used, gender equality should ultimately be pursued as a matter of justice. Achieving lasting progress requires not just policy change but a transformation in societal attitudes and mindsets.
Going forward, efforts must prioritise inclusivity, justice, and systemic change, ensuring that diverse voices—across government, academia, technology, and civil society—are actively engaged in advancing the goals set out in Beijing 30 years ago.