Artificial Intelligence and Gender-Based Violence: A Double-Edged Sword in the Fight for Justice and Equality

Artificial Intelligence and Gender-Based Violence: A Double-Edged Sword in the Fight for Justice and Equality

Authors

  • Nazish Imran Professor, Child & Family Psychiatry Department/ Editor, Annals of KEMU, King Edward Medical University, Lahore
  • Khaula Tariq Senior Registrar, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, King Edward Medical University / Mayo Hospital Lahore Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v31i1.6079

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, Violence, Justice and Equality

Abstract

The fight against gender-based violence (GBV) is a crucial one, as it affects millions of people around the world particularly women and girls. This issue has no borders since it touch every culture and society. Shockingly, an estimated 736 million women world-wide have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence at some point in their lives.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is widespread, it is playing an ever-expanding role in shaping how we communicate but when it comes to addressing GBV, AI is a mixed bag. On one hand, it can help to bring about innovative solutions to help identify and prevent GBV. On the other hand, it has the inherent risk of reinforcing the harmful biases already existing in the society.

This editorial sheds light on how AI can act as a double-edged sword in the battle against GBV. Finding effective ways to tackle AI for the greater good, and as an aid in the pursuit of justice and equality, while being mindful and mitigating challenges, is the goal and way forward.

References

1. Gayatri, Pradhan. A sociological review of gender-based violence across the globe. Int J Multidiscip Res. 2024;6(5):27970. doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i05.27970.

2. Chowdhury R, Lakshmi D. “Your opinion doesn’t matter, anyway”: Exposing technology-facilitated gender-based violence in an era of generative AI. UNESCO Publishing; 2023. Available from:https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000387483.

3. Pauwels E. Artificial intelligence and data capture technologies in violence and conflict prevention. Global Centre on Cooperative Security. 2020 [accessed 2024 Dec 30]. Available from:https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep27551.

4. Daniel CP. Socio-economic determinants of gender-based violence [GBV]: SDG analytics on the global GBV scenario with special reference to technology-facilitated gender-based violence and adolescent birth rates. 2023. NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations. 63. Available from: https://touroscholar.touro.edu/nymc_students_theses/63

5. Women UN. Accelerating Efforts to Tackle Online and Technology Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Policy brief. 2022. www. unwomen. org/en/digital-library/publications/2022/10/accelerating-efforts-to-tackle-online-and-technology-facilitated-violenceagainst-women-and-girls.

6. Centre for International Governance Innovation. Supporting safer digital spaces. 2023 Jun 8. Available from:https://www.cigionline.org/publications/supporting-saferdigital-spaces/.

7. de Silva de Alwis R. A rapidly shifting landscape: why digitized violence is the newest category of gender-based violence. La Revue des Juristes de Sciences Po. 2024;29(25):62. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4648409

8. Turnbull, A. Onlife Harms: Uber and Sexual Violence. CJLT. 2022; 19:277-306.

9. Edit. AI has a WEIRD problem. [date unknown]. Available from:https://edit.co.uk/blog/ai-has-a-weird-problem/.

10. Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility Helpdesk. Gender-based violence and artificial intelligence (AI): Opportunities and risks for women and girls in humanitarian settings. 2023. Available from:https://gbvaor.net/node/1903.

11. UNDP. Sara: The new artificial intelligence tool to tackle gender violence in Central America. 2023. Available from:https://www.undp.org/latin-america/press-releases/sara-new-artificial-intelligence-tool-tackle-gender-violence-central-america.

12. Sapouna M, Wolke D, Vannini N, Watson S, Woods S, Schneider W ,et al. Virtual learning intervention to reduce bullying victimization in primary school: a controlled trial. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2010;51(1):104-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2009.02137.x.

13. Rodríguez DA, Díaz-Ramírez A, Miranda-Vega JE, Trujillo L, Mejia-Alvarez P. A systematic review of computer science solutions for addressing violence against women and children. IEEE Access. 2021;9(9):114622-39. https:// doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3103459

14. Janssen J, Kokkeler B, Novitzky P. A systematic review of ethical challenges and opportunities of addressing domestic violence with AI technologies and online tools. Heliyon. 2023;9(6):17140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17140

Downloads

Published

03/31/2025

How to Cite

Nazish Imran, & Khaula Tariq. (2025). Artificial Intelligence and Gender-Based Violence: A Double-Edged Sword in the Fight for Justice and Equality. Annals of King Edward Medical University, 31(1). https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v31i1.6079

Issue

Section

Editorial

Similar Articles

> >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Loading...