Among nearly 200 different pavilions of various countries and organisations at the magnificent Expo 2020 Dubai, there is a stand-alone pavilion dedicated to women. Located in the Sustainability district of the World Expo, the Women’s Pavilion, in collaboration with Cartier, takes visitors on an immersive journey that offers new perspectives on women’s contribution to society. As soon as you enter, the pavilion’s overarching message, ‘When women thrive, humanity thrives,’ is displayed in a simple yet spectacular wooden artwork. From here, you enter a dark room and watch a small heart-warming video where young girls and boys tell us what equality means to them. The innocence and maturity of these children were commendable, especially of an eight-year-old boy who very strongly dismissed gender roles, saying, “Boys and girls can do everything the same.” After the video ends, the door to the next room lights up with the text ‘Women light the way’, and you enter a gallery with a constellation of stars. Here, visitors can see women icons who were empowered, warriors and changemakers from history till today and learn their stories. The pavilion not only celebrates women’s achievements but also highlights some of their problems and actively finds solutions for them. One particular wall showcased different footwear of women, ranging from shoes, sandals and boots on a shelf, to convey the message that women from all countries spend three times longer on unpaid care work than men. Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of the pavilion is the strong message of ‘When water flows, equality grows’, stressing the importance of water and sanitation for women to thrive. The next room is for visitors to leave a note supporting the message of #ActforEqual. Hundreds of notes written in different languages and colours were stuck on the wall, adding a personal touch and showing our contribution to women’s empowerment. This leads you to a room of virtual reality where you can sit down to watch and listen to the steps scientists, sportswomen, artists, mothers, and many more from around the globe are taking for empowerment and equality. The pavilion is a must-visit at Expo 2020 not only for its beautiful and intricate architecture but also for its inspirational and informational value. It is designed to symbolise femininity and positive change that can start from today with contributions from both men and women.
10 Mar 2022
Rupashree Ravi
