Reinforcing the pavilion’s manifesto: when women thrive, humanity thrives, the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will host more than 170 events across four different tracks.

Also, Expo 2020 Dubai’s programming for the Women’s Pavilion in collaboration is presenting an extraordinary line-up of women presidents, prime ministers and gender advocates across a wide-ranging series of events that will drive progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE). The events will showcase solutions for a gender-equal future and highlight the essential role women must play for society to continue to advance.

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 Expo 2020 visitors. The UAE, through a host of diverse initiatives, is working to shed light on gender balance and regards it as one of the most pressing subjects through which prosperity and sustainable development can be achieved worldwide. Under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed, the UAE Gender Balance Council aims to share the achievements of the UAE in this field with the international community through dialogues and the exchange of visions and ideas throughout the course the event. The UAE Gender Balance Council and Expo 2020 are working together to raise awareness on the subject. The council is committed to build global partnerships that contribute to gender equality in line with short and long-term strategies.”

Saleh: excellent opportunity

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

Visions and Journeys welcomes trail-blazing leaders to the stage to share their visions, strategies, and policies for a gender-equal future while providing insights into their personal journeys. Speakers include 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 hosts speakers from non-government organisations, including Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, Founder, Mlambo Foundation and Former Executive Director, 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 Programme for People and Planet, the series tackles Theme Week topics through a gender lens. Discussions include ‘Tolerance and Inclusivity as Driver for Women’s rights and equality’, ‘132 Million Girls: Tackling Gender Disparities in Access to Education’; ‘All Aboard? Not Yet: Vulnerabilities of Women in Mobility’; and ‘From Farmer to Boss Lady: Developing a Gender-Equitable Agricultural Sector’.

A historical and cultural series held in partnership with the Louvre Abu Dhabi research programme, Women in Arabia and Islam is inspired by museum artworks celebrating the roles of Arab and Muslim women, and their contributions to the advancement of societies in the past and present.

The series spotlights women pioneers in culture, education, health and wellness, sustainable development, and more.

Co-curated with cross-industry stakeholders, Outlier addresses intersectional issues not commonly addressed in the existing frameworks of the GEWE agenda with events spanning trade, science, heritage and leadership.