Video: Women make up more than half of Expo 2020’s Emirati employees

More than half of Expo 2020’s Emirati staff are women, new statistics reveal.

Of the UAE nationals employed at Expo 2020, 60 per cent are Emirati women, according to a report carried by Emirates News Agency (WAM).

For Emirati Women’s Day (August 28), WAM spoke with a number of Emirati women about their work at Expo 2020. One of those was Maryam Al Safran, director of Expo 2020’s schools programme. She said: “As an Emirati woman, I am fortunate to be part of this national project.”

Celebrating the inspirational women of the #UAE, as they continue to push boundaries and create the future. #EmiratiWomensDay #Expo2020 #Dubai pic.twitter.com/NhGD38wCdp

— Expo 2020 Dubai (@expo2020dubai) August 27, 2019

Another Emirati woman WAM spoke to was Aisha Al Marzouki, a graduate of Zayed University who specialises in environment and sustainability sciences and who works for the sustainability department at Expo 2020. She told WAM sustainability is a key theme for the expo.

Other Emirati women in senior roles at Expo 2020 include Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, minister of State for International Cooperation and director-general of the Expo 2020 Office.

In addition, three Emirati women – Hayat Shamsaldin (vice president for art and culture affairs), Maha Al Gergawi (vice president for international participants affairs) and Aliaa Al Ali (vice president of the schools programme) serve as vice presidents of various departments. Further, 15 women from various backgrounds are serving as interns.

Earlier in August, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited the Expo 2020 site to inspect progress.

450 days remaining for Expo 2020 Dubai, with 190 countries leading the world towards a better future through their pavilions for the first time in the MEASA. We are ready and remain true to our promise of hosting the best Expo edition yet in its 168-year history. pic.twitter.com/XPG18h9U5M

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) August 13, 2019

The six-month long event, which opens its doors on October 20, 2020, features pavilions representing 195 countries. Scheduled to run until April 21, 2021, more than 25 million visits are expected.