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Hansa Mehta's Fight for Inclusive AI: A UN Tribute to Her Human Rights Legacy

UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock invoked the legacy of Indian human rights pioneer Hansa Mehta in the fight for women's protection in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Mehta is credited with changing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from "all men" to the inclusive "all human beings." Baerbock highlighted that women are disproportionately targeted by digital harms, citing that 96% of non-consensual deepfake pornography depicts women. She linked this struggle to India's upcoming AI Impact Summit, framing it as a continuation of Mehta's commitment to inclusive and equitable development.

Key Points: Hansa Mehta's Legacy Inspires AI Gender Equality Fight: UNGA

  • Hansa Mehta changed UDHR to "all human beings"
  • AI regulations must protect women from digital harm
  • 96% of deepfake porn targets women
  • India's AI Summit commits to equitable tech
2 min read

Hansa Mehta's fight for women's rights inspires struggle for their protection in AI age: UNGA President

UNGA President cites Hansa Mehta's fight for "all human beings" in UDHR as inspiration for protecting women in AI regulations and digital age.

"We should be reminded every day... to hold our stand firmly, as Hansa Mehta once did. - Annalena Baerbock"

United Nations, March 8

India's international human rights pioneer Hansa Mehta's unflinching stand for the recognition of women animates contemporary struggles for their protection in the age of Artificial Intelligence, according to General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock.

"We should be reminded every day when we are working on these new AI regulations to hold our stand firmly, as Hansa Mehta once did," Baerbock has said.

Mehta is credited with rewording the First Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from a male-centric version that spoke of only men to "All human beings are born free and equal", making it inclusive of women.

Speaking at the annual Hansa Mehta Memorial lecture sponsored by India's UN Mission, Baerbock said, "Her legacy lives on in the foundational principles she helped etch into the Universal Declaration of Human Rights".

When, as a member of the Commission on Human Rights in 1949, Mehta demanded the change from "all men" to "all human beings", "they were frankly dismissive", she said.

"She persisted until she secured a formulation that was unambiguous", and that was "a small change on the page but one with monumental consequences", Baerbock said.

This year's theme of the lecture was "Breaking barriers for Social Transformation: Dr. Hansa Mehta's inspiring life".

Baerbock said, "Advances in digital technology and Artificial Intelligence promise transformation, yet women remain less likely to have equal access to digital tools."

Moreover, these technologies are being used to target women, she said, pointing out that "96 per cent of non-consensual deepfake pornography depicts women".

"We should be reminded every day when we are working on these new AI regulations to hold our stand firmly, as Hansa Mehta once did," Baerbock said.

Therefore, she added, it was fitting that "India's hosting of the second AI Impact Summit, which reflects a commitment to harnessing these technologies for inclusive and equitable development".

"If just a single person can make such an immense difference, imagine how profoundly a society can transform when that opportunity is extended to all humanity", she said.

Mehta was one of only 15 women in the Constituent Assembly of India that was responsible for drafting the Constitution.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
The point about AI and deepfakes targeting women is terrifying and so true. We need strong regulations, and Baerbock is right - we need Hansa Mehta's spirit in today's policy rooms. A timely reminder.
A
Anjali F
It's inspiring, but also a bit sad. We're still fighting the same fundamental battle for equality, just in a new digital arena. The 96% stat on deepfakes is shocking. When will it end?
D
David E
As someone working in tech, the digital divide for women in India is real. Less access to devices, less digital literacy. Glad India is hosting the AI Summit, but the focus must be on ground-level access first.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, while honoring pioneers is good, we need more action today. How many women are in the rooms where AI policy is being made in India right now? That's the real test of her legacy.
S
Sneha F
Hansa Mehta was in the Constituent Assembly too! We know about Ambedkar and Patel, but not enough about the women who shaped our constitution. Time to change that. More power to her 🙏

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