
The transformative potential of artificial intelligence in advancing gender equity took center stage at the GenAI x Gender Tech Hackathon, where emerging innovators developed cutting-edge solutions to address critical challenges faced by women and marginalized communities. Co-sponsored by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board, the event was hosted at Amrita University’s Amritapuri campus as part of the International Conference on Gender and Technology (GTC) 2025.

Anuhya Mahesh and Aditya Sonwane, 3rd Year B Des (Creative Education, SMI), and Pranav Sridhar, 3rd Year B.Tech (Metallurgical Engineering and Material Sciences, IIT Madras), won the 1st prize (Rs.50000/-) for the project “Dodda Akka.”

Their solution, “Dodda Akka” is a community-driven AI hotline that transforms how bystanders support women facing harassment in Bengaluru’s public spaces. The solution operates in local languages and is accessible through basic mobile phones, empowering community members to safely intervene, document incidents, and collaborate with authorities to create safer public spaces for women.

The 2nd prize (Rs.30000/-) was won by the team “Legal Sahayaks” comprising Gayatri Jadhav, 3rd Year B.Des (Creative and Applied Computing, SMI), Machavolu Chengala Sai Sanjana, M. Kalyana Sundaram, Final year B.Tech (CSE-AI, Amrita University, Coimbatore) and Shivaharisha M S,2nd year, B.Sc (Computer science, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore). Their solution, “SheLaw AI” is a secure and intelligent system that helps women understand their rights and take informed legal action against abuse and harassment. The solution makes legal support accessible to women across all socio-economic backgrounds.

Selected from an impressive pool of 550 applicants worldwide, 250 participants formed 50 teams for this pioneering initiative. This Hackathon adopted a different approach from the way hackathons are usually held. GenAI X Gender International Hackathon was spread across four weeks and woven through many layers of mentoring by academicians, domain experts, and industry leaders from around the world, making this Hackathon an invaluable learning experience for the participants.
The competition concluded with the final 10 presentations evaluated by a distinguished panel of experts that include Dr. Manisha Gupta (Google, USA), Dr. Krishnasree Achuthan (Amrita University), Eunsong Kim (UNESCO), Chinenye Anekwe (UNESCO), Beena Sarkar (Fractal.ai) and others. The hackathon is already catalyzing professional opportunities for the participants, and more such opportunities will emerge as these promising solutions continue to gain recognition in the broader technology and social impact ecosystem.
Aditya Sonwane chronicles his GenAI X Gender Hackathon experience thus:
”What an overwhelming and amazing journey it has been! Participating in the Gender X GenAI Hackathon—a 28-day experience packed with mentoring sessions, workshops, and critical discussions—challenged us to reimagine how technology can address gender-based issues. Collaborating with Durga (an NGO based in Bangalore) and receiving guidance from experts like Monika Rajashekar and Dr.Jyothsna Belliappa helped us see how every intervention must be contextual and intersectional. These insights were instrumental in shaping our team’s solution.
This hackathon was part of the larger International Conference on Gender and Technology, hosted by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. It helped me broaden my horizon about the need of gender lenses in shaping AI technologies in Indian contexts. With panel discussions and conversations around contextualizing trust in AI, leveraging positive biases, co-creating with technology, and learning from inclusive systems around us were incredibly liberating. As we stand at the beginning of a new technological era, it’s quite liberating to see such inclusive conversations shaping the future.”