by Phumla Mkize
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to democratise learning for girls and women, particularly in underserved communities and in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. These were the words of Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka , the Tshwane University of Technology’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement, to a gathering at the 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) currently underway at the UN Headquarters in New York, in the USA.
Dr Papu-Zamxaka is part of the South African delegation led by the Minister of Women, Youth and Person with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, which includes representatives from academia and civil society.
The annual conference, which continues until 21 March 2025, focuses on the progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adopted 30 years ago by 189 countries, the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action are considered the global agendas for empowering girls and women as well as for achieving gender equality.
Dr Papu-Zamxaka was speaking at a side event presented by South Africa as the host of the G20 this year, and therefore President of the Women 20 South Africa (W20). The W20 is one of the G20’s engagement groups comprising women in academia, entrepreneurs and civil society formations. The side event held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence: A transformative force for all women and girls” was aimed at galvanising stakeholders across different sectors to collaborate in harnessing AI to empower women and girls.
Dr Papu-Zamxaka highlighted the opportunities that AI presents for girls and women in education, employment, healthcare and social change. She also noted the challenges and risks AI pose, which can hinder inclusivity and fairness, if not mitigated.
“In many parts of the world girls still face obstacles that prevent them from receiving an education. AI-powered platforms are changing this. They offer personalised learning experiences, create access to knowledge regardless of location and provide mentorship and support for young girls pursuing careers in STEM fields where women continue to be under-represented,” she said.
TUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement,
Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, speaks on the role of AI in gender equality
at a side event at the 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).
Dr Papu-Zamxaka said AI is also reshaping employment and the way women balance their personal and professional lives.
“AI-powered tools are automating tedious and time-consuming tasks, allowing women to focus on higher-value, strategic work. Flexible work environments, enabled by AI, allow women to thrive in careers without compromising their responsibilities at home,” she said.
In healthcare, Dr Papu-Zamxaka spoke of how AI-powered diagnostics and telemedicine solutions are breaking down barriers to healthcare access, particularly in rural and marginalised communities.
“Women who once struggled to access quality healthcare can now consult doctors remotely, receive early diagnoses for critical health issues and benefit from AI-driven research that prioritises women’s health concerns,” she said.
AI is opening doors to opportunities for women entrepreneurs, said Dr Papu-Zamxaka: “It provides business intelligence, financial insights and market analytics, allowing women-led start-ups to compete and thrive in male-dominated industries.”
Dr Papu-Zamxaka also underscored the role of AI in amplifying women’s voices in social change and advocacy, adding that it enables organisations to monitor gender injustices, drive policy changes and challenge discriminatory narratives in media and society.
She furthermore cautioned on the challenges and risks of AI: “We must remain vigilant about how it is developed, who designs it and who benefits from it,” she said, adding that AI systems are as unbiased as the data they are trained on.
“If that data is flawed and it carries historical gender biases, then AI can reinforce rather than dismantle inequality. One of the most pressing concerns is bias in AI algorithms. AI models, if not carefully designed, can perpetuate gender stereotypes and discrimination. When AI hiring tools are trained on historical employment data that reflects past discrimination, they continue to favour men over women,” she said.
Dr Papu Zamxaka also highlighted the digital divide, which she said continues to disadvantage women, particularly in developing regions.
She called on the gathering to ensure that the future of AI and gender equality is not just about technology, but about people, policies and priorities.
“We must ensure that women are active participants in shaping AI development, from research and policymaking to leadership roles in the tech industry. We must advocate for policies that guarantee gender inclusivity in AI applications across education, employment and healthcare,” she said.