UN Initiatives Leverage AI to Empower Women in Southeast Asia

In a groundbreaking effort to promote gender equality, United Nations agencies are utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to empower women across Southeast Asia. These innovative approaches aim to enhance training opportunities and provide vulnerable women with critical resources.

In the Philippines, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has introduced AI chatbots to support women entrepreneurs in remote areas. This initiative allows business owners to receive technical advice and create digital marketing content in a fraction of the time, significantly boosting online engagement and sales.

In Thailand, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched the SoSafe platform, which offers tailored advice on social issues such as domestic violence and unintended pregnancies. Accessible to 600,000 users, SoSafe has facilitated over 1,000 reports of domestic violence, improving communication between women and support services.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing an AI tool through the Social Innovation Platform (SIP) to amplify women’s voices in village decision-making. This tool allows anonymous submissions of ideas, fostering diverse participation in traditionally male-dominated discussions.

These initiatives exemplify the UN’s commitment to harnessing technology for social good, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, and creating a more equitable future for women in the region.