Across the world, indigenous women and girls have long been forced to confront racism, discrimination and intolerance in health systems, limiting their access to quality, live-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare.
This inequality is evident in higher rates of adolescent births, maternal mortality and gender-based violence. Discrimination often remains invisible and unquestioned, sustaining legacies of colonialism, slavery and gender inequity.
One thing that could reduce historical patterns of exclusion against indigenous peoples is artificial intelligence (AI) – but it could also make them worse.
AI is a powerful technology that can advance the realization of sexual and reproductive health and other rights, including through generating more accessible, representative, culturally sensitive and ethical healthcare data. Yet biases embedded in AI datasets could also exacerbate unfair health outcomes, deepening healthcare disparities.
In addition, marginalized groups, including indigenous peoples, have had little say in decisions about the development of AI. This is dangerous and must change. Indigenous peoples must have equitable roles in the technology’s development, implementation and governance.
In light of both the potential and the challenges of the ever-evolving technology, the theme for International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples this year is “Indigenous peoples and AI: Defending rights, shaping futures.”
AI models developed in collaboration with indigenous women and girls could improve the quality and cultural responsiveness of sexual and reproductive healthcare, including through the preservation and integration of indigenous knowledge, languages and practices.
UNFPA partners with indigenous organizations to support full and equal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights and freedom from violence for indigenous women and girls.
