The mega show of the world – Expo 2020 – would take off to a colorful start in a couple of days. The greatest show on earth happening in Dubai would see the participation of over 190 countries including India and the world is curious to see the latest in technology that the show would feature.
That aside, what would make EXPO 2020 special is the first pavilion solely dedicated to women entrepreneurs. No world expo, since 1900, had this ingredient that turns the spotlight on issues relating to gender parity and women empowerment.
So, Dubai can take the credit for this because it has shown its determination to smash stereotypes related to women. And, it has begun well by putting women at the driver seat of Expo 2020.
This was recently confirmed by Ms. Maha Al Gergawi, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs, Expo 2020 who said the expo is literally run by women under the dynamic leadership of Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Affairs and Expo 2020 Managing Director.
“Over 50 per cent of the workforce at Expo 2020 is women and over 60 per cent Emirati women are in leadership positions,” Ms. Al Gergawi noted. She was confident that Expo 2020 would be an opportunity to clear the misconceptions about women’s competencies and capabilities.
Interestingly, the UAE Gender Balance Council and Expo 2020 Dubai have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the engagement on gender balance and women empowerment at the upcoming show.
The idea, according to HE Reem Al Hashimy, is to show the world and participating countries, the UAE’s achievements and future goals in promoting gender balance worldwide using Expo 2020 as a solid launch-pad.
Meanwhile, Ms. Hind Alowais, Vice President, Expo 2020 Participant Management opines, Expo 2020 cannot be imagined without paying tribute to women who have played a key role in nation-building. “No country has achieved the goal of addressing the issue of inequality,” she said.
Ms. Alowais agrees that women’s equality is still very much at the centre of development issues. Expo 2020, she feels, would create a space and bring in countries, thought leaders, NGOs, public and private entities to further the agenda.
Expo 2020, it is learnt, will also have a huge exhibition titled ‘New Perspectives: When Woman Thrives Humanity Thrives’ besides Women’s Majlis where the role of women in Arabia, Islam, Sustainability and Sports among other areas would be discussed.
Ms. Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare says women entrepreneurs from the UAE are already leading global brands. “They are changing the global perception about Arab women,” Alisha said.
EXPO 2020, she said, would showcase this to a great extent, and also open up new opportunities for them to promote their businesses, collaborate and grow. Ms. Alisha believes that women entrepreneurs from India can make the most in Dubai.
“We already have Indian women entrepreneurs who are at the helm of the most trusted brands in the UAE and they are leading in healthcare, retail and lifestyle,” she said adding, “there are opportunities for more women in areas like hospitality, fashion, F&B and education among others.
That puts in perspective the proactive role being played by women in holding the grandest of all shows. In other words, it also forces one to take a fresh look at women – the modern women who refuse to get stereo-typed. They have already arrived, and you could see them at EXPO 2020!
Article Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes