UNESCO study highlights AI gender gap in South Asia
Women remain underrepresented in AI leadership, UNESCO finds across six South Asian countries.
UNESCO has published the Outlook Study on Artificial Intelligence and Gender in South Asia, the first regional assessment of women’s participation in AI across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Developed by the UNESCO Women for Ethical AI (W4EAI) South Asia Chapter, the report examines women’s representation across the AI ecosystem, from education and research to employment and entrepreneurship, highlighting the structural barriers that limit leadership opportunities.
The study finds that greater access to higher education has not translated into equal participation in AI-related fields. Women account for only around one-third of STEM students across the region and remain significantly underrepresented in computing, engineering and AI disciplines.
Although women contribute to AI research, they hold only 26% of corresponding or lead authorship positions, reflecting limited representation in research leadership. In the labour market, women remain concentrated in lower-value AI roles, while technical positions involving AI model development continue to be dominated by men.
Female entrepreneurs also face persistent barriers, including limited access to investment, technical expertise and institutional support.
Drawing on education and labour statistics, bibliometric analysis, LinkedIn Economic Graph data and interviews with women working in AI, UNESCO concludes that AI could either reinforce existing inequalities or become a catalyst for greater gender equality, depending on policy choices.
The report calls for greater investment in inclusive AI education, skills development, leadership opportunities and ethical AI governance to ensure women can participate fully in shaping the region’s AI future.
Why does it matter?
The report shows that gender inequality in AI extends well beyond education, affecting research leadership, employment, entrepreneurship and access to decision-making roles across South Asia. As countries invest in AI-driven economic growth, broader participation will be important not only for fairness but also for innovation and the development of AI systems that reflect diverse perspectives.
The findings also reinforce the growing link between AI governance and inclusion. Building ethical and trustworthy AI depends not only on technical safeguards but also on ensuring that women have equal opportunities to shape how AI technologies are designed, developed and deployed.
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