Showing its efforts to combat gender inequality, Expo 2020 Dubai said women will occupy a number of leadership positions in the event, starting with Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashemi who is also the Managing Director for the Dubai World Expo 2020 Bid Committee.
Expo 2020 brings together the cream of world female architectural talent in one place. The event will host the world for 173 days from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021.
Some 192 countries will participate in the Expo 2020, and there will also be a huge wealth of architectural talent from the respective countries designing the pavilions and within that talent pool, there is a significant number of female architects.
Expo 2020 provides a platform for their work and encourages equality and inclusivity – values that help define the UAE.
Female architects occupy leading design positions on a number of country pavilions representing five continents, including Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and North America.
From the Middle East/Mena region, Rihab Zakwani, and Alya Battashi are the two female architects leading the Oman Pavilion design, which is by Omani company Adi Architecture. They aim to incorporate their country’s history into the feminine lines and understated architecture that will bring Oman’s story to life.
Frankincense, Oman’s “gift to the world”, has played a vital and varied role in the nation’s development from ancient times to the present day. The Oman Pavilion pays tribute to this precious resin, with its exterior resembling the tree that produces frankincense. Inside there are five zones detailing the diverse ways in which frankincense has benefited Oman – spanning everything from medicine to food to cosmetics.
