New Delhi, March 8: The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, emphasized the enduring relevance of Hansa Mehta’s steadfast stance on women’s identity and rights. Mehta, an international human rights leader from India, continues to inspire ongoing struggles for women’s safety in the age of artificial intelligence.
Baerbock stated, “As we work on new AI regulations, we must be reminded daily to stand firm, just as Hansa Mehta once did.” Mehta is credited with changing the language of the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, replacing male-centric terminology with the phrase “all human beings are born free and equal.” This historic intervention allowed women to gain an equal footing in the global human rights framework.
During the annual Hansa Mehta Memorial Lecture organized by India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Baerbock noted, “Her legacy lives on in the fundamental principles she played a crucial role in embedding within the Universal Declaration.”
In 1948-49, when Mehta proposed replacing “all men” with “all humans” as a member of the Human Rights Commission, her suggestion was initially dismissed. Baerbock praised her unwavering determination, stating, “She remained resolute in her demand until she found a clear expression. While it seemed a minor adjustment on the pages of the document, the implications were profoundly far-reaching.”
This year’s lecture theme was “Breaking Barriers for Social Transformation: The Inspiring Life of Dr. Hansa Mehta.” Baerbock highlighted that despite promises of change through advancements in digital technology and artificial intelligence, women still face limited access to digital tools.
Moreover, she pointed out that these technologies are often used to target women. “Ninety-six percent of non-consensual deepfake pornography features women,” Baerbock remarked.
As discussions on new AI regulations continue, she reiterated the importance of maintaining a strong stance, akin to Mehta’s approach. She also noted that it is fitting for India to host the second AI Impact Summit, showcasing a commitment to using these technologies for inclusive and equitable development.
Baerbock concluded, “If one individual can bring about such significant change, imagine the societal transformation that could occur when this opportunity is extended to all of humanity.”
It is noteworthy that Hansa Mehta was one of only 15 women in India’s Constituent Assembly responsible for drafting the Constitution.
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