As the founder of Baobab Tech, I feel compelled to address the growing imbalance in our industry with honesty and purpose.
The reality is ugly: while there are many talented non-white men in the AI industry, they are often overshadowed, with AI development decision-making power remaining overwhelmingly dominated by (louder) white men like myself. We are witnessing concerning rollbacks of diversity initiatives at the highest levels of government and industry. From the White House dismantling and defunding DEI programs and creating fear among industry and academia to even mention ideas of DEI and equality tell them to “keep their heads down” on any social matter. And the "tech bro" phenomenon (see NPR article) perpetuating exclusionary cultures across Silicon Valley, the message seems clear: addressing systemic inequality is considered dispensable is punishable.
As we talk about the patriarchy at the dinner table, with my 10 and 13 year old kids, I thought I would be part of a prouder generation that shifted away from it, but the effects of patriarchal systems aren't merely persisting they appear to be intensifying. Global political and societal trends reveal a concerning rollback that extends well beyond women in tech. We're witnessing regression across multiple sectors and geographies, with hard-won progress being systematically undermined (see rapid research on that topic below).
I've reached a personal and professional breaking point with this trend. While Baobab Tech is small, our values need not be. The World Economic Forum's recent report "Gender Parity in the Intelligent Age" highlights that economies drawing from diverse talent pools will ultimately outperform those that don't.
Therefore, Baobab Tech is committing to concrete actions with the resources and size we have (and if you have suggestions for what else we could do, please let us know):
Small companies can make a difference: perhaps not alone, but collectively, we represent a significant portion of the tech ecosystem. If we all commit to concrete actions rather than performative statements, genuine change becomes possible.
This isn't about virtue signaling, rather recognizing that we've reached a tipping point where silence equals complicity.
If you're interested in collaborating with us or have suggestions for how we can better contribute to these efforts, my inbox is open. Feel free to also reach out to Chaiwe (she/her) and Solène (she/her) on our team.
Olivier Mills (he/him)
Founder, Baobab Tech
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviermills/
100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics™ – 2025
List of 100 brilliant and inspiring women recognized in the 2025 list.
https://womeninaiethics.org/the-list/of-2025/
Women's Leadership in AI Innovation
Women in AI's blog explores findings from UNESCO's 2024 "Fostering Women's Leadership" report, highlighting the alarming diversity gap in AI leadership. The article provides compelling statistics: women hold only 8% of CEO positions and 22% of executive board seats in top tech companies, while representing just 33% of the workforce and 25% of technical roles at major tech giants. The piece makes a strong case for why gender diversity is essential for ethical AI development and innovation.
Career Impact of AI Adoption Gap
Harvard Business School research reveals women are adopting AI tools at a 25% lower rate than men, potentially impacting their career advancement. The study, led by Associate Professor Rembrand Koning, suggests this gap stems from women's ethical concerns about AI use and fear of workplace judgment. The article discusses how this adoption disparity could widen existing gender gaps in wages and career opportunities if not addressed(2).
Strategies for Women's Inclusion in AI
IBM Community's blog outlines comprehensive strategies to increase women's representation in AI, emphasizing early education, outreach initiatives, role models, mentorship programs, and creating inclusive work environments. The article provides actionable approaches to address the gender gap across the AI talent pipeline.
Future Opportunities for Women in AI
WomenTech Network presents an optimistic view of opportunities for women in AI, arguing that diversity is fundamental to innovation. The article explains how women's unique perspectives enrich AI discourse and ensure technologies developed are inclusive and representative of diverse societal needs.
https://www.womentech.net/en-ng/blog/future-female-trends-and-opportunities-women-in-ai
AI Career Pathways for Women
Another WomenTech Network piece details specific AI career paths for women, including roles as AI researchers, data scientists, AI engineers, ethical AI advisors, and AI product managers. The article highlights the growing demand for AI talent and the need for women to enter these rapidly expanding fields.
https://www.womentech.net/blog/future-female-trends-and-opportunities-women-in-ai
UN Women on AI Gender Equality
UN Women's explainer article discusses how AI systems mirror societal biases and the importance of diverse development teams. Citing the Global Gender Gap Report of 2023, it notes only 30% of AI professionals are women. The piece features insights from female researchers and discusses strategies to counter gender bias in AI through inclusive development practices and increased STEM education for women.
https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/explainer/artificial-intelligence-and-gender-equality
Critical Need for Women in AI Development
Reworked's article presents a compelling case for women's participation in AI, noting women represent only 22% of AI professionals globally. The piece introduces the concept of "AI Model Collapse" where AI degrades over time due to reliance on narrow datasets, and explains how diverse teams can prevent this problem while creating more effective and ethical AI systems.
https://www.reworked.co/digital-workplace/why-its-critical-we-have-more-women-in-ai/
Gender Gap in AI/ML Technologies
Qwasar's blog examines the stark gender disparity in AI/ML fields, citing alarming statistics: over 90% of AI specialists are men, and only 26% of data and AI roles are held by women. The article discusses how this underrepresentation is particularly visible at major AI conferences and calls for immediate action to address this imbalance.
https://blog.qwasar.io/blog/women-in-ai/ml-why-diversity-is-critical-for-the-future-of-technology
Women's Role in Shaping Ethical AI
Forbes features insights from Microsoft engineering manager Manasi Sharma on women's crucial role in guiding AI toward accountability and inclusivity. The article notes that by 2025, AI is projected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy, yet fewer than 22% of AI talent globally are women. It emphasizes how women's perspectives are essential for implementing ethical frameworks that ensure AI benefits everyone.
Women in AI Ethics & Culture Office Achievements
Women in AI's blog showcases the 2024 accomplishments of their Global Ethics & Culture Office, highlighting their Speaker Series featuring industry leaders discussing ethical AI implementation. The post introduces their team members and their work fostering global collaboration among Women in AI chapters worldwide.
Legal Resources for Women in AI
Women in AI announces their new legal blog "AI Legal Insights," focused on AI regulation and its impact on gender and diversity. The platform will feature interviews with women leaders in AI and law, provide practical advice on legal challenges in AI projects, and create a community for discussion and networking.
https://www.womeninai.co/post/introducing-our-new-legal-blog-for-women-in-artificial-intelligence
ℹ️ Deep Research generated with human edits and verification
The past three years have witnessed a troubling global phenomenon: the intensification of patriarchal systems across multiple sectors and geographies. Far from being a steady march toward equality, recent research, reports, and survey data from 2023 to 2025 reveal a systematic undermining of hard-won progress in gender equality. This regression manifests not just in specific regions traditionally associated with gender inequality but appears as a worldwide trend affecting even nations considered progressive.
Explicit Warnings from Global Leadership
In March 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a stark assessment that encapsulates the current crisis: "Patriarchy is far from vanquished; it is regaining ground"(1). This warning came during the opening of the 2024 session of the Commission on the Status of Women, where he further emphasized that women and girls face "a war on their fundamental rights at home and in their communities"(1). This language from the UN's highest official signals the severity of the situation.
The Secretary-General specifically highlighted how autocrats and populists worldwide are strategically promoting "traditional values" as a mechanism to attack women's sexual and reproductive rights(1). His comment that "We cannot accept a world in which grandmothers fear their granddaughters will enjoy fewer rights than they had" reflects the regression observed across generations(1).
Quantifying the Backlash
UN Women's report published in March 2025, "Women's Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing," provides concrete data on this regression, revealing that "in 2024 nearly a quarter of governments worldwide reported a backlash on women's rights"(5). This finding is particularly troubling as it demonstrates that the rollback is not isolated to a few countries but represents a substantial global trend.
The report characterizes the threats to women's and girls' rights as "unprecedented" and "growing," manifesting through "higher levels of discrimination to weaker legal protections, and less funding for programmes and institutions that support and protect women"(5). UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous acknowledged these "complex challenges" standing in the way of gender equality and women's empowerment(5).
Stagnation and Declining Progress
The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Reports from 2023 and 2024 document a concerning slowdown in progress. The 2023 report found that at the current rate of change, it would take 131 years to reach full gender parity globally (2)(12). The 2024 report showed even further deceleration, extending the timeline to 134 years (9).
These extended timelines reflect what the WEF described as "tepid progress" - the global gender gap only closed by a mere 0.3% between 2022 and 2023 (12). The 2024 report similarly showed minimal improvement of just 0.1 percentage points from the previous year(9). Such minimal progress effectively translates to stagnation on a global scale.
Even more alarming is data from Equal Measures 2030's 2024 SDG Gender Index, which found that "between 2019 and 2022, nearly 40% of countries – home to over 1.1 billion women and girls in 2022 – stagnated or declined on gender equality"(14). The organization projects that at current rates, "global gender equality won't be achieved until the 22nd century"(14).
Economic Participation: A Post-Pandemic Crisis
The economic dimension of gender equality has shown particular vulnerability to regression. The WEF's 2023 report explicitly identified a "post-pandemic crisis" in women's economic participation, noting that "the economic participation gap showed some regression"(12). This regressive trend is especially concerning as economic independence is fundamental to women's autonomy and advancement.
As of 2024, the Economic Participation and Opportunity gap has only closed by 60.5% globally(9), leaving a substantial distance to equality. The report warns that "the current context, coupled with technological and climate change, risks causing further regression in women's economic empowerment"(12).
Political Representation: The Widest Gap
Despite some gains, political representation remains the area with the largest gender disparity. The 2024 WEF report indicates that the Political Empowerment gap has only closed by 22.5%(9). While there has been an 8.3 percentage point improvement since 2006, this remains the sphere with the most significant inequality.
The stark reality persists that "only 87 countries have ever been led by a woman"(5), reflecting deep-rooted barriers to women's political leadership. This limited political representation directly impacts policy decisions affecting women's rights and freedoms.
Digital Gender Divide
The digital realm is emerging as a new frontier where patriarchal systems are being reproduced and reinforced. Secretary-General Guterres highlighted that "when technological systems are designed by men, they result in biased algorithms that ignore women's needs and women's bodies"(1).
UN Women's 2025 report further notes that "digital technology and artificial intelligence spread harmful stereotypes, while the digital gender gap limits women's opportunities"(5). As technology increasingly shapes society, this digital divide threatens to amplify existing inequalities.
Rising Violence and Conflict
Violence against women and girls continues to be a devastating manifestation of patriarchal control. UN Women reports that "a woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or member of her own family"(5). Additionally, there has been "a disturbing 50 percent increase in the number of women and girls living in conflict" over the past decade(5).
The UN Commission on the Status of Women in 2024 specifically noted that sexual violence in conflict zones is rising around the world(1), adding another dimension to the dangers women face globally.
The Anti-Gender Movement
A concerning development since 2023 has been the rise of organized ideological opposition to gender equality. A 2023 report identified how "anti-feminist forces are orchestrating this erosion of women's rights"(11) through coordinated efforts.
These movements are not limited to opposing feminism but include "anti-gender ideology movements" that are "driving a backlash to deny women basic rights, and to criminalise LGBTQI+ lives"(11). In some cases, these forces are "embedding ultra-conservative ideologies into our education and legal systems"(11).
Project 2025: A Case Study in Institutional Regression
A concrete example of this organized backlash is Project 2025 in the United States, a comprehensive conservative policy agenda created for potential implementation after the 2025 presidential inauguration. A March 2025 analysis describes its "highly-conservative aims" as focused on creating "a patriarchal future where abortion is banned and LGBTQ+ rights are denied"(6).
The document, developed by The Heritage Foundation, explicitly aims to "restore the family as the centrepiece of American life," which critics argue is code for rolling back progress on gender equality(6). This represents an institutional attempt to codify regression in one of the world's most influential democracies.
Generational Divides
Perhaps most concerning for long-term progress is evidence of generational divisions on gender equality. Ipsos' International Women's Day survey from March 2025 found that while young women are more likely to identify as feminists, "Gen Z men are significantly more likely to agree that efforts towards gender equality have gone too far and discriminate against men"(15).
This polarization among younger generations signals potential challenges for future progress. The survey also revealed that "fewer than half believe significant progress will be made in the next five years"(15), indicating widespread pessimism about near-term advancements.
Persistent Regional Disparities
The 2023 WEF report identified the Middle East and North Africa as the region furthest from gender parity (62.6%), followed by Southern Asia (63.4%) (2). These regions continue to face the greatest challenges in achieving gender equality.
However, the regression is not limited to traditionally patriarchal societies. Spain's delegate to the UN in 2023 voiced "grave concern over an extremist and reactionary wave growing throughout the world, including Europe, that rejects gender equality and feminism"(3). This indicates that even regions traditionally seen as more progressive are experiencing pushback.
Afghanistan: An Extreme Case
Afghanistan under Taliban rule represents an acute example of patriarchal resurgence. It was specifically cited in UN discussions as exemplifying the extremist rejection of gender equality(3). The systematic stripping of women's rights in Afghanistan since 2021 serves as a stark reminder of how quickly progress can be reversed when patriarchal forces gain institutional power.
Institutional Misogyny
Research from 2023 highlights how "patriarchal norms invisibly operate within most institutions and systems of governance"(11). This institutionalization of patriarchy makes it particularly difficult to address, as it's embedded in the very structures designed to govern society.
A 2025 academic paper analyzing 30 years of research on patriarchy in management and organization studies calls for "increased research approaches that center the structural/political forces of patriarchy and gender"(13), recognizing the need to better understand these institutional dynamics.
Economic Patriarchy
The economic dimension of patriarchy remains stark, with the UN noting in 2024 that "even in 2024, 'poverty has a female face'"(1). A report from March 2024 indicates that "women are overwhelmingly affected by economic disparities, especially in conflict zones. A staggering 400 million women are living in extreme poverty, subsisting on less than $2.15 per day"(4).
At current rates, "8% of the global female population will still be in this situation by 2030"(4), showing the persistence of economic inequality along gender lines.
The evidence from 2023-2025 clearly supports the assertion that patriarchal systems are not merely persisting but intensifying globally. The regression documented across multiple sectors and geographies represents a serious threat to decades of progress toward gender equality.
As Equal Measures 2030 starkly puts it, "a girl born today will have to wait until her 97th birthday – beyond her expected lifespan – to celebrate an equal society"(14) if current trends continue. This grim projection underscores the urgency of addressing the patriarchal resurgence.
UN Women's call for 2025's International Women's Day—"Accelerate Action"—acknowledges this urgency(10). As Professor Alice MacLachlan of York University stated in March 2025, "There has never been a more important time to accelerate action around gender parity"(10).
The evidence compiled here demonstrates that without significant intervention and renewed commitment to gender equality, the global community risks losing hard-won progress and allowing patriarchal systems to further entrench and intensify their influence across societies, economies, and political systems worldwide.
(1) 'Patriarchy Is Regaining Ground', Secretary-General Warns, while ... https://press.un.org/en/2024/wom2231.doc.htm
(2) WEF_GGGR_2023.pdf - www3 .weforum .org /docs /WE https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2023.pdf
(3) As Rights of Women and Girls Plunge to Lower Than Previous ... https://press.un.org/en/2023/gashc4376.doc.htm
(4) Patriarchy is regaining ground: A troubling trend - Changeincontent https://www.changeincontent.com/patriarchy-is-regaining-ground/
(5) One in four countries report backlash on women's rights in 2024 https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2025/03/one-in-four-countries-report-backlash-on-womens-rights-in-2024
(6) Project 2025's Impact on Abortion Rights | MSI Reproductive Choices https://www.msichoices.org/latest/what-is-project-2025/
(7) Transforming Patriarchal Masculinities: Learning From Practice https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/transforming-patriarchal-masculinities-learning-from-practice-en.pdf
(8) females-resistance-to-the-patriarchal-cultures-via-reclaiming-identity ... https://hrmars.com/papers_submitted/24381/females-resistance-to-the-patriarchal-cultures-via-reclaiming-identity-and-exploring-responsibility-a-review.pdf
(9) Global Gender Gap Report 2024 | World Economic Forum https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2024/digest/
(10) From research to revolution: women in academia lead the charge for ... https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/2025/03/05/from-research-to-revolution-women-in-academia-lead-the-charge-for-gender-equality/
(11) Facing the backlash: what is fuelling anti-feminist ... - Align Platform https://www.alignplatform.org/sites/default/files/2023-07/align-framingpaper-backlash-web.pdf
(12) It could take 131 years for the world to close the gender gap, report ... https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/20/economy/wef-global-gender-gap/index.html
(13) Where is the patriarchy?: A review and research agenda for the ... https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gwao.13145
(14) 2024 SDG Gender Index - Equal Measures 2030 https://equalmeasures2030.org/2024-sdg-gender-index/
(15) Progress and Polarization: Global Attitudes Toward Gender Equality ... https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/international-womens-day-2025
(16) Morbid symptoms: a feminist dialectics of global patriarchy in crisis https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13540661241295658
(17) Global gender equality in 2023: Urgent efforts needed to reach 2030 ... https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2023/09/global-gender-equality-in-2023-urgent-efforts-needed-to-reach-2030-goals
(18) The Paranoid and Unhinged Rhetoric of Project 2025 - Ms. Magazine https://msmagazine.com/2024/07/25/project-2025-reproductive-rights-abortion-patriarchy-women-family-discrimination-oil-gas/
(19) Grasping Patriarchal Backlash: - Solidarity Action Network (SANE) https://solidarityaction.network/wp-content/uploads/Grasping-Patriarchal-Backlash-A-Brief-for-Smarter-Countermoves_FINAL.pdf
(20) Global Gender Gap Report 2023 - The World Economic Forum https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2023/in-full/gender-gaps-in-the-workforce/
(21) A/79/500 General Assembly - UN Women https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/a-79-500-sg-report-ending-violence-against-women-and-girls-2024-en.pdf
(22) Ending The Patriarchy: A Pathway to Equality and Regeneration https://www.populationmedia.org/the-latest/ending-the-patriarchy-a-pathway-to-equality-and-regeneration
(23) The State of Women's Rights in 2025: A Call to Action Against ... https://turningpointmag.org/2025/03/05/the-state-of-womens-rights-in-2025-a-call-to-action-against-global-regression/
(24) Opinion: 2025 is the year to stop playing defense on gender equality https://womendeliver.org/press/2025-stop-playing-defense-on-gender-equality/
(25) Techno-patriarchy is rolling back women's rights online https://www.ghadvocates.eu/techno-patriarchy-is-rolling-back-womens-rights-online-2/
(26) When Will Global Gender Gaps Close?, WP/23/189, September 2023 https://www.imf.org/-/media/Files/Publications/WP/2023/English/wpiea2023189-print-pdf.ashx
(27) Our collective plan for 2023 - MenEngage https://menengage.org/stories/our-collective-plan-for-2023/
(28) Pandemic patriarchy: The impact of a global health crisis on women's r https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003270195-23/pandemic-patriarchy-impact-global-health-crisis-women-rights-alison-brysk
(29) Six headlines from 2024: a seismic year for gender norms https://www.alignplatform.org/resources/blog-six-headlines-2024-seismic-year-gender-norms
(30) Women's rights in 2025: Hope, resilience, and the fight against ... https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2025/02/womens-rights-in-2025-hope-resilience-and-the-fight-against-backlash
(31) s no amount of tea in the world that is going to fix the patriarchy right ... https://gtvincubator.uwo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Mantler.GenderCOVIDWomenGBV.SSMQualHealth.2022.pdf
(32) The Patriarchs' War on Women - Ms. Magazine https://msmagazine.com/2023/05/15/patriarchy-war-on-women-lgbtq-reproductive-rights/
(33) Gender inequality around the world in 2024: special report https://focus2030.org/Gender-inequality-around-the-world-in-2024-special-report
(34) 2025 Trends in Advancing Gender Equality - The Prosperity Project https://canadianprosperityproject.ca/2025-trends-in-advancing-gender-equality/