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Gender Perspectives on AI and the Rule of Law in Africa
With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), judicial systems worldwide face legal questions on AI's implications for human rights, such as surveillance, privacy, liability, and discrimination. Several judiciaries around the world are also exploring the use of AI judicial processes, raising concerns for fairness, accountability and transparency in decision making. Nevertheless, AI technologies present significant opportunities if developed and applied responsibly according to ethics and human rights-based values.
As part of UNESCO's global efforts to build capacity for judicial systems to respond to AI and the governance of emerging technologies, UNESCO and Lawyers Hub are organizing a series of webinars to explore AI's challenges and opportunities in legal systems, focusing on gender dimensions and the experiences of women judges in Africa. These webinars aim to build a regional community of legal practitioners aware of the intersection of gender, AI, and technology in Africa.
Insights from these webinars will contribute to a report, "Gender Perspectives on AI and the Rule of Law in Africa," to be launched at the in Nairobi, Kenya, from July 9-10, 2024. This report will guide the development of comprehensive solutions to enhance women's engagement with the legal-tech landscape in Africa.
Webinar 1 - Breaking Barriers: Navigating Gender Rights in the Judiciary in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Part of the UNESCO Global Webinar Series on AI and the Rule of Law
Judges are navigating the complex intersection of technology, ethics, and gender rights within the cases before the judiciary. In lieu of the on March 10, this webinar highlighted gender bias implications arising from the use of AI by the judiciary and AI generated content in adjudication processes in the dispute resolution system. It was organized in partnership with Lawyers Hub, Kenya and Centre for Communication Governance, National Law University Delhi, India.
Thursday 14 March 2024
15:00 -16:30 CEST
English with Spanish interpretation
Webinar 2 (Regional Inception Webinar) - Gender Perspectives on AI and the Rule of Law in Africa
This regional inception webinar contextualised global discussions on the intersection between gender, AI and law to the African context. Experts provided a broad landscape overview of the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for promoting gender equality in AI development and deployment while upholding the principles of the rule of law.
Speakers
- Teki Akuetteh (Ghana), Founder & Executive Director of the Africa Digital Rights Hub LBG, Senior Partner at Nsiah Akuetteh & Co.
- Neema Jaji (Tanzania), Programme Officer Human & Peoples' Rights at Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania
- Lilian Olivia Orero (Kenya), Advocate of the High Court in Kenya a Gender and Data Protection Fellow at the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT), Founder of Safe Online Women (SOW) Kenya
Moderated by Jorge Andre虂s Clarke De la Cerda (Lawyers Hub)
Thursday 18 Apriil 2024
15:00 - 16:30 hrs EAT
English
Key elements of the discussion:
- Gender bias in AI and its impacts on the legal landscape: AI perpetuates biases in decision-making, amplifying bias from historical legal documents, behaviours, and societal norms.
- The Gender Gap: Women are underrepresented in the legal and tech sectors, lacking funding and STEM training, hindering credibility, and facing gender stereotypes in these male-dominated sectors.
- Role of Governments and International Organizations: Influential institutions should foster environmental and structural changes around practices in the tech and legal sectors, especially about AI, like promoting inclusiveness STEM education for women, and funding AI and gender research.
Webinar 3 - Navigating Gender Rights in African Legal Landscapes
The webinar aims to explore the legal frameworks, challenges, and opportunities in advancing gender rights within African legal contexts, against the backdrop of a fast-evolving digital landscape. It seeks to foster dialogue among legal practitioners, activists, policymakers, and the broader community to identify strategies for overcoming barriers and promoting gender equality.
Speakers
- Christine Okeno (UN Women) - Program Analyst for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls at the UN Women Kenya Country Office
- Jacqueline Ingutiah (Kenya) - Commissioner at the Judicial Service Commission, Kenya, and Regional Coordinator of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
- Flavour Borokini (Nigeria/ UK) - Lawyer and digital rights researcher in the intersection of gender and technology
- Hlengiwe Dube (South Africa) - Expression, Information and Digital Rights Project Manager 路 Centre for Human Rights
Moderated by Maria Mbeneka (Council Member of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association)
Thursday 23 May 2024
15:00 - 16:30 hrs EAT
English
Key Elements of the Discussion
Importance of Gender Equality laws in Africa. Weak legal frameworks, negative cultural norms and practices, discriminatory laws and colonial legacies still exist. Legal reforms are needed to create a gender-responsive legal system, enhance access to justice and reflect the evolving digital realities.
Diversity in Tech Design. Technology's impact on society and culture cannot be understated. Thus, efforts should be made to bring marginalized groups into the spaces where technology is created. A feminist approach, which includes involving more women in every stage of tech design, can help ensure diverse representation, support local talent, and provide mentorship to women in technology.
Key recommendations. Capacity building for judicial officers and maintaining decisional independence with AI were highlighted, along with preserving openness and transparency in court proceedings. Technology can also enhance access to legal services and information, especially in underserved areas.
Webinar 4 - Institutionalizing Gender-transformative AI Governance: What's Next for Africa's Judiciary?
The webinar aims to explore the legal frameworks, challenges, and opportunities in advancing gender rights within African legal contexts, against the backdrop of a fast-evolving digital landscape. It seeks to foster dialogue among legal practitioners, activists, policymakers, and the broader community to identify strategies for overcoming barriers and promoting gender equality.
Speakers
- Christine Mutimura-Wekesa - Deputy Registrar at The East African Court of Justice
- Rose Wachuka Macharia - Chief of Staff, Office of the Hon. Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya
- Judge Sylvester Alborh - Judge, Circuit Court of Ghana
- Angela Minayo - Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and the Digital Rights and Policy Programs Officer at Article19 Eastern Africa
Moderated by Nafissatou Tine, Sunulex (Senegal)
Thursday 20 June 2024
15:00 - 16:30 hrs EAT
English
