Expo 2020 Dubai awarded an event-specific Gender Equality European and International Standard (GEEIS), a significant recognition of the World Expo’s ongoing commitment to workplace gender equality.
In her speech during the “Break the Bias” forum organized by the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and Cartier, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General at Expo 2020 Dubai said: “This achievement is a result of the efforts made by Expo 2020 Dubai to support and stimulate equality across various internal policies and external communication mechanisms as well as the various operations and content programs”.
The GEEIS-Event award highlighted the World Expo’s proactive approach to professional gender equality and was independently certified by Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification. It assesses gender equality using key metrics such as salaries, promotions, skills development and external communications, alongside formal and political commitments to gender equality, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Managed by Europe-based Arborus Endowment Fund, the award certifies Expo 2020 Dubai’s efforts and Human Resources policies to achieve gender equality at work, recognizing that women make up more than half (53 percent) of its entire workforce and more than a third (38 percent) of all C-suite personnel.
Women in Expo 2020
Among other key achievements, women comprise 52 percent of all management roles at Expo 2020 Dubai, and women hold more than three in five graduate positions.
GEEIS-Event also acknowledges Expo 2020 policies, such as annual leave, dress code, employee grievance and complaints, as aligned with the UAE law that prohibits discrimination and hatred based on caste, race, religion, or ethnic origin.
In addition, GEEIS-Event also takes into account Expo 2020 Dubai’s role-specific training modules, with no gender bias, as well as its program for Leadership and Development (71 percent), Mission Leader (69.5 percent) and Apprenticeship (90 percent) – all requiring nominations to participate – which also feature more women than men.
Dina Storey, Director of Sustainability Operations for Expo 2020 Dubai said: “Expo 2020 Dubai has followed the illustrious example of the UAE in gender equality, with women present in every element of our Expo, helping to create a truly exceptional experience for all participants and visitors. Independent certification from Bureau Veritas is an extraordinary achievement for Expo 2020 Dubai, but also for women globally, because it reinforces to the world what we know to be true: a gender-balanced organization where women are empowered is one well-positioned for success.”
Expo 2020 Dubai’s GEEIS-Event award, the first of its kind awarded to any World Expo, represents the event’s wider commitment to gender equality. The Women’s Pavilion, in collaboration with Cartier, is based on the principle that when women thrive, humanity thrives, and celebrates the key roles played by women throughout history and in the present day.
Expo 2020 Dubai is also the first World Expo in more than 50 years to have a standalone pavilion dedicated to women.
