IPU boss warns AI could create new forms of abuse against women

ARUSHA, TANZANIA: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary General Ms Anda Filip has called for greater attention to the impact of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), warning that technology could create new forms of abuse against women, including sexualised deepfakes.

The SG highlighted this during the Women Parliamentarians Forum held on to the sidelines of the 153rd IPU Assembly in Arusha on Monday and emphasised that AI should be a priority for the IPU, urging parliaments to ensure that the technology is used responsibly and governed effectively.

“We cannot leave AI in the hands of a few billionaires from the private sector. It needs democratic oversight and responsible governance,” said the IPU SG.

On the other hand, Ms Anda Filip commended IPU President Dr Tulia Ackson for her leadership and efforts to strengthen women’s influence and advance gender parity within the organisation.

According to the IPU boss, Dr Tulia’s leadership has helped transform the IPU by strengthening women’s participation and making gender parity an institutional responsibility.

Ms Filip, the first woman to serve as the organisation’s Secretary General, said her appointment had been made possible by the dedication of leaders and members who had worked to transform the IPU.

“As the first woman in this role, I know how much this moment was made possible because of the work and dedication of all of you who have helped to transform the IPU,” she said.

She said the Women Parliamentarians Forum had played an important role in changing the organisation’s rules, strengthening women’s influence and advancing gender parity.

“This forum has changed the rules of our organisation. It has strengthened women’s influence, and it has made gender parity an institutional responsibility,” she said.

Ms Filip said the progress made in advancing women’s leadership carried both confidence and responsibility, as women and girls looked to women leaders as role models.

She said the IPU’s new strategy should use gender equality as a catalyst for stronger parliaments, inclusive societies and lasting peace.

“As we implement the new IPU strategy, gender equality must be a catalyst for stronger parliaments, inclusive societies and lasting peace,” she said.

Ms Filip said that at a time when conflicts and distrust continued to divide countries, parliamentary dialogue must remain open, with women given equal power to shape discussions and contribute to better outcomes.

She said the Plan of Action for Gender Parity in Parliaments had established a clear vision that should now be translated into practical measures.

“For women to lead equally, we know that we also need to create conditions that are conducive for them to access power and remain in power,” she said.

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Ms Filip identified violence against women in politics as a major barrier to their meaningful participation and leadership, calling for stronger measures to prevent abuse and hold perpetrators accountable.

She said IPU research had helped expose violence against women in politics and inform parliamentary responses, adding that the organisation would deepen its efforts to help parliaments turn evidence into stronger laws and effective implementation.

Ms Filip said the IPU would work with parliaments to develop strategies grounded in women’s experiences, including preventing abuse, securing the swift removal of harmful content, supporting survivors and holding perpetrators and technology platforms accountable.

She described the Women Parliamentarians Forum as a “powerhouse for change”, urging participants to carry the same determination into their national parliaments.

“Together, let us carry that same determination into every parliament,” she said.

Ms Filip also called on the IPU to set an example for other multilateral institutions that had yet to place women’s leadership at the core of their work.

“At a personal level, I really do hope that the IPU is setting a good example, as the United Nations is looking ahead towards the election of its own Secretary General,” she said.