In a compelling discourse on the global stage, Sambo Muritala, Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Legal Matters, accentuated the pivotal role of Empowering Women Through AI to combat poverty and ensure food security. Addressing the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) at the United Nations Headquarters, Muritala emphasized the urgency of leveraging AI to uplift women and small-scale farmers towards achieving sustainable development goals. In his impassioned address, Muritala highlighted the imperative of integrating innovative solutions to empower women and bolster agricultural sustainability, underscoring the transformative potential of AI in reshaping socioeconomic landscapes.
Empowering women through AI
Sambo Muritala elucidated on the imperative of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to bolster women’s participation in addressing food security challenges and poverty alleviation. He underscored Kwara State’s proactive stance in harnessing AI technologies to revolutionize agricultural practices and enhance economic sustainability. Muritala emphasized the pivotal role of women in steering AI-driven initiatives, citing Kwara State’s commitment to gender parity in governance and the prioritization of women’s involvement in critical sectors such as agriculture, finance, education, and human capital development. By empowering women with AI skills and opportunities, Kwara State aims to foster inclusive growth and prosperity while mitigating the adverse effects of poverty and food insecurity.
Muritala’s discourse resonated with the overarching theme of the CSW68 summit, which focused on empowering women to leverage the potential of Artificial Intelligence for achieving food security and poverty alleviation, aligning closely with the agenda of promoting gender equality and sustainable development. The summit served as a platform for global stakeholders to deliberate on innovative strategies to empower women through AI-driven interventions, acknowledging the transformative impact of gender-inclusive policies and initiatives on sustainable development agendas.
Leveraging AI for sustainable development
Within Kwara State’s governance framework, the integration of AI holds promise for catalyzing inclusive growth and socioeconomic empowerment, particularly among women and marginalized communities. Muritala highlighted the state’s collaborative efforts with international partners, including the Chinese and French governments, to bolster food security and economic resilience through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). By fostering a conducive environment for knowledge sharing, skill transfer, and capacity building, Kwara State aims to facilitate the seamless integration of AI-driven technologies into the agricultural sector, thereby enhancing productivity, efficiency, and resilience against external shocks.
Muritala lauded the United Nations’ timely initiative in spotlighting the nexus between women’s empowerment, AI, and sustainable development, emphasizing the urgency of collective action to combat hunger and poverty on a global scale. He extended his appreciation to Dr. Ugoji Adanma Eze Esq., the President of Renew Our Earth, for spearheading efforts to humanize the discourse on AI-driven solutions for addressing societal challenges, underscoring the imperative of inclusive and participatory approaches in shaping future development agendas.
As the discourse on leveraging AI for women’s empowerment gains momentum, stakeholders must grapple with critical questions concerning equitable access, ethical considerations, and the democratization of AI-driven technologies. How can policymakers and practitioners ensure that AI interventions prioritize the needs and aspirations of women, particularly those in marginalized communities? In charting a path towards inclusive and sustainable development, the convergence of AI and women’s empowerment holds immense potential to reshape socioeconomic landscapes and foster a future where prosperity is truly inclusive and equitable.