The Policy Innovation Lab, in partnership with Women Political Leaders (WPL) and GIZ, co-hosted a webinar launching the FemAI Leaders initiative in South Africa. The session brought together researchers, policymakers and civil society actors to examine two intersecting themes: women in AI, and AI for women.

The initiative, led by WPL and supported by GIZ, aims to strengthen the role of women leaders in AI policy and governance. Gifty Adu-Gyamfi, Project Lead at WPL, introduced the programme’s aims: ‘We want to empower women parliamentarians to understand, influence and use artificial intelligence – to ensure AI works for women, not against them.’

Keynote speaker Zinhle Novazi from Stellenbosch University, warned against assuming AI is neutral or progressive by default. ‘AI amplifies existing inequality,’ she said. Drawing on research into credit scoring, gender-based violence and data protection, she argued that South African law lacks the coherence and enforcement necessary to safeguard women as both users and subjects of AI systems. Novazi called for transparency, accountability and fairness as minimum requirements for ethical AI.

Deshni Govender, GIZ AI policy specialist, responded by stressing that digital inclusion must go beyond access. She emphasised the need for gender-transformative approaches, not just pink-washed programmes. Govender also pointed to the social conditioning that continues to limit girls’ exposure to science and technology from a young age.

Selam Abdella of the Global Centre on AI Governance added that AI policy in Africa continues to underperform on gender. She highlighted how women are excluded from the creation of knowledge about AI and argued that when women are involved in research, social concerns are more likely to be addressed. Abdella highlighted how AI-enabled abuse, including deepfakes and surveillance, targets women in ways that legal systems are still not prepared to handle.

The session also introduced the FemAI e-learning platform, an open-access tool designed to support participants in building a foundational understanding of AI. The platform will complement in-person sessions and help create a cohort of women leaders with the knowledge to shape AI policy.

The in-person Cape Town FemAI Lab takes place from 15-16 October. The launch of the FemAI Policy Playbook follows on 19 November.