The Women's Pavilion programming at Expo Dubai will promote gender equality and women's empowerment

The Dubai World Expo 2020 programming for the Women's Pavilion, in partnership with Cartier, features an extraordinary line-up of women presidents, prime ministers and gender advocates in a wide-ranging series of events that will drive progress on gender equality and women's empowerment (GEWE). 

Reinforcing the Pavilion's manifesto: when women thrive, humanity thrives, the Women's Pavilion will host more than 170 events on four different tracks, which seek to incorporate showcase solutions for a gender-equal future and highlight the role women must play in society to move forward. 

Her Excellency Shamsa Saleh, Secretary General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said: "The initiative provides an exceptional opportunity to exchange experiences, visions and ideas to share with visitors to Expo 2020. The UAE, through a number of diverse initiatives, is working to shed light on gender balance and considers it one of the most pressing issues through which prosperity and sustainable development can be achieved around the world". 

Her Excellency added: "Under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed, the UAE Gender Balance Council aims to share the UAE's efforts and achievements in this field with the international community through dialogues and exchange of visions and ideas throughout the course of the event. The UAE Gender Balance Council and Expo 2020 are working together to raise awareness of the issue and share the UAE's success in supporting women and their achievements. The Council is committed to building global partnerships that contribute to gender equality in line with short and long-term strategies." 

Hind Alowais, Senior Vice President, Participant Management, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: "Expo 2020 aims to enable action towards a prosperous future for both people and planet, and women must be full and equal participants in all segments of society for this vision to be realised. Complementing the content of the Women's Pavilion, our programming will allow visitors to interact with and learn from leaders who have been catalysts for change in gender equality. By creating a dynamic environment with thought-provoking dialogue, we will inspire audiences from all walks of life to be part of the global movement for gender equality and women's empowerment and, in turn, do their part to make a better tomorrow for all". 

Visions and Journeys welcomes pioneering leaders to the stage to share their visions, strategies and policies for a gender-equal future while providing insight into their personal journeys. Speakers include Her Excellencies Zuzana Čaputová, President of Slovakia; Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of Serbia; Epsy Campbell Barr, First Vice President of Costa Rica; Maryam Yalwaji Katagum, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria; and Hind al-Zahid, Deputy Minister of Women's Empowerment, Saudi Arabia. The series also features speakers from non-governmental organisations, including Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, founder of the Mlambo Foundation and former Executive Director of UN Women. 

The Women's World Majlis, which was conceived in partnership with the mega-event's own World Majlis, focuses on the role of women in sustainable development. As part of Expo 2020's People and Planet Programme, the series addresses the themes of the Thematic Week through a gender lens. Discussions include 'Tolerance and inclusion as drivers of women's rights and equality'; '132 million girls: addressing gender disparities in access to education'; 'All aboard? Not yet: Women's vulnerabilities in mobility'; and 'From farmer to boss: developing a gender-equal agricultural sector'. 

A historical and cultural series produced in partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi's research programme, 'Women in Arabia and Islam' is inspired by museum artworks that celebrate the roles of Arab and Muslim women, and their contributions to the advancement of societies past and present. The series highlights pioneering women in culture, education, health and wellness, sustainable development and more. 

Co-produced with industry stakeholders, Outlier addresses intersectional themes not commonly addressed in existing GEWE agenda frameworks with events spanning commerce, science, heritage and leadership. 

The Women's Pavilion, in partnership with Cartier, will host its flagship event for International Women's Day 2022 under the leadership of Her Excellency Reem al-Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo 2020 Dubai. 

The 8 March 2022 forum will welcome key stakeholders in the gender space under its theme, 'Creating New Perspectives', shedding light on women's leadership by addressing the issue of harmful stereotypes and negative social norms that have prevented women from reaching their full potential in various sectors. Beyond the existing rhetoric of quotas and capacity building measures traditionally adopted by institutions, the event will examine and unravel the invisible barriers women face and generate conversations to overcome them. 

Text, photos and videos: Dubai Expo 2020.