CivicSabha 2.0 - Leveraging Data and AI to bridge Gender and Inclusion Gaps

As digital technologies become central to governance, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven systems are increasingly influencing public policy decisions, welfare delivery, and access to services. Addressing gender and inclusion gaps in digital systems therefore requires deliberate investments in inclusive data infrastructure, responsible AI governance frameworks, and participatory approaches that reflect lived realities. CivicDataLab (CDL) and PARIS21 with UN Women as a Session Partner convened a roundtable discussion "Leveraging Data and AI to Bridge Gender and Inclusion Gaps", as part of CivicSabha 2.0. It brought together policymakers, international organisations, researchers, technologists, and civil society practitioners to explore these challenges and opportunities.

The session featuring leading experts across government, international organisations, and civil society: Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Union Minister, Rohit Bharadwaj, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Liliana Suchodolska, PARIS21, Sizwile Khoza, Stockholm Environment Institute Asia; aimed to examine how data ecosystems and AI tools can support gender-responsive governance while mitigating risks of bias and exclusion. CDL convened this dialogue to foster cross-sector collaboration, share practical use cases, and identify pathways for responsible and inclusive deployment of AI in public systems.