The Global Dialogue on Women at Expo 2020 Dubai discusses the best sustainable policies to empower women

picture

Within the framework of the great momentum witnessed by Expo 2020 Dubai, the European Union, in cooperation with UN Women, organized a high-level global dialogue on the work of women in the twenty-first century and best practices in the field of public policies that will accelerate the empowerment of women, with the participation of global leaders in the fields of Politics, business, society and influence makers contribute to making a positive impact in societies around the world.

Government officials, business leaders, goodwill ambassadors, behavioral science professionals and storytellers from around the world gathered for this global dialogue, which was held at the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and under the umbrella of the Emirates Council for Gender Balance “Women and Career Advancement: How to Harness the Fullest Human Potential”, With the aim of highlighting the positive multi-dimensional contribution of women to society, and finding solutions that combat gender-based discrimination and stereotypes, discussions focused on the role of men in supporting gender balance, in addition to actions in public policies to establish family-friendly and more equal work environments to achieve balance Between work life and family life for working fathers, it also highlights how governments are putting women at the center of their COVID-19 recovery programs in order to build back better, and create resilient and inclusive societies.

The list of speakers included Her Excellency Andrea Matteo Fontana, Ambassador of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates and Commissioner General of the European Union at Expo 2020 Dubai, Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the Emirates Council for Gender Balance, and Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia bint Majid Al Saud, Secretary General of the Al Waleed Foundation H.E. Christer Nilsson, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, H.E. Mateja Rebic, Minister of State for the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunity of the Republic of Slovenia, and H.E. Stefan Schluening, Head of Unit at the European Commission Policy Instruments Service The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Moza Al-Shehhi, Director of the UN Women Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Ms. Veronica Squinze, CEO of Mapei.

Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice-President of the Emirates Council for Gender Balance, expressed her thanks to the European Union, UN Women and their partners in organizing this event, which is an ideal platform that brings together global leaders and experts to engage in inspiring dialogues to stimulate thought that will enhance the impact of women, stressing that one of the main objectives The Emirates Council for Gender Balance consists in transforming the discussions that take place during such major events into effective partnerships, concrete plans and practical strategies to harness the full potential of women and enhance their vital role in social and economic development around the world.

Her Excellency Mona Al Marri added: “Today, governments around the world are more aware than ever before that women’s economic empowerment and gender balance are essential to advancing sustainable economies, achieving progress in national development and building prosperous societies, and based on our experience in the UAE, specifically the Emirates Council. For gender balance, we have worked to consolidate women’s economic rights by referring to global reports and applying best practices for women in the economy, and through concerted efforts and joint cooperation, we will continue to make important progress towards empowering women around the world.”



Speaking during the first session entitled “Empowering women at all stages of their careers” Her Excellency Stella Ronner-Grupacic, Ambassador for Gender and Pluralism of the European Department of Foreign Affairs of the European Union, said: “To achieve lasting change and enhance women’s leadership in social, economic and political decision-making, we need to A comprehensive and integrated approach, including the involvement of men and youth, and we are also a barrier to enhance our awareness and conviction that we want things to change and we have to start now.”

H.E. Mateja Rebic, Minister of State, Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the Republic of Slovenia spoke at the second session entitled “Family-friendly public policies and more equitable sharing of childcare burdens”, where she said: “Slovenia has one of the best family policies in the world.” . It supports projects such as “Fail the Father” to encourage parental participation and equality in the upbringing and care of children. Also, thanks to a very well organized kindergarten system, which enables women to quickly transition into the labor market, Slovenia has the largest share of full-time working mothers in the EU in decades, and at the same time women also enjoy a low level of wage gap.”

During the third session, which was held under the title “Policy Procedures and Exchange of Best Practices”, His Excellency Christer Nilsson, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs in the Kingdom of Sweden, spoke about the advanced role in Sweden in this regard, saying that empowering women is the key to sustainable development, and there is also compelling evidence of That gender equality promotes economic growth, adding that the Swedish government has a feminist government that pursues a feminist foreign policy with a clear focus on women and girls’ rights, representation, resources, and that a gender perspective is at the heart of all our work, including trade policy.

"Gender equality is not only good for society, but it is also good for business and commerce," he said.

The event was held in the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 in cooperation with Cartier, and in partnership with the embassies of Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, in addition to the General Commission of Italy at Expo 2020 Dubai and UN Women.

Prior to the event, the dialogue participants were invited to attend a luncheon hosted by Dr. Lislott Anderson, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the United Arab Emirates, and Dr. Andrea Matteo Fontana, Ambassador of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates, in the Swedish pavilion.

This also coincided with the inauguration of a photo exhibition entitled "Emirati Fathers" by the famous Swedish photographer Johan Bafmann.