Expo 2020 Dubai will mark International Women’s Day on Tuesday. Three days of events — from March 6 to 8 — under the 2022 theme of Break The Bias are taking place.
The events explore different perspectives to tackle the “invisible barriers holding women back in politics, business and culture”, organisers said, while also celebrating those already breaking the bias.
“The world continues to face extraordinary challenges, and it is clear that these issues cannot be solved without half the global population having a seat at the table,” said Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai. “We must tackle stereotypes, cultural and societal norms that create bias against women and hinder their ability to contribute — a change that cannot be achieved by one policy or actor alone.
“On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who have broken the mould across sectors and the men who have championed them. We welcome the world to Expo 2020 Dubai to learn how each of us can create an enabling environment for women, one that will ultimately secure a brighter future for all humanity.”
On Sunday, the Middle East’s first female-led music festival, We, The Women, was held at Festival Garden, bringing together international artists from diverse backgrounds, including Alo Wala, Natacha Atlas and Dina El Wedidi.
Here are some other events to look out for:
Break the Bias Assembly
Starting proceedings on International Women’s Day will be the Break the Bias Assembly, which will feature government leaders and diplomats from the UAE, Switzerland and Paraguay discussing the 2022 edition of the Women in Diplomacy Index, as well as a talk by Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, chief diversity and inclusion officer of the US State Department.
There will also be a discussion by women shaping the world of business, who will discuss overcoming barriers in all industries. Participants include Laura Lane, chief corporate affairs officer, UPS and Sabine Holl, IBM vice president technical sales and chief technology officer for Middle East and Africa.
March 8; 9am-1pm; Hall 2A South, Dubai Exhibition Centre
Break the Bias Forum
Curated by the Women’s Pavilion in collaboration with French luxury goods company Cartier, the Break the Bias Forum will feature a talk from the UAE’s first female minister, Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, former UAE Minister of State for Tolerance, who will share her experiences.
The afternoon will also host the Redefining the Future for Women session, featuring leaders and policymakers across cultures and sectors, including Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh; Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President; and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general, World Trade Organisation.
The forum will also feature a group of celebrities, including Lebanese actress, director and activist Nadine Labaki, who will read aloud letters written to the next generation of girls inviting them to take their rightful place in society to drive gender equality forward.
March 8; 1pm-6pm; Hall 1B South, Dubai Exhibition Centre
Walking Through (Her)Story
Explore the central role women have played in the development of societies around the world with a self-guided walking tour leading up to International Women’s Day.
Starting out at the Women’s Pavilion, visitors will be able to explore how women have contributed to empowerment and gender equality through history.
The tour will then take visitors to the Benin Pavilion to learn about women kingdom-builders, before heading to the Bangladesh Pavilion, where a showcase explains the country’s success in women’s empowerment.
Next, visitors will swing by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Pavilion, which highlights unity in diversity and women’s central role in the Islamic way of life, before ending at the African Union Pavilion, where visitors can listen to the stories of African women and their contributions to the development of the continent.
The self-guided Walking Through (Her)Story visitor journey is accessible via the Expo 2020 Dubai app.
Until March 8; 10am-10pm; starting at Women’s Pavilion
Al Wasl Dome Ceremony
The ceremony, organised by Cartier, will round off the day’s celebrations, attempting to answer the question: What makes a better world? The evening will feature a guest appearance from Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek, alongside performances from slam poet Emi Mahmoud, and the orchestra of renowned composer Thomas Roussel. There will also be dance and gospel music performances.
March 8; 8pm-8.45pm; Al Wasl Dome
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
MATCH INFO
Norwich City 1 (Cantwell 75') Manchester United 2 (Aghalo 51' 118') After extra time.
Man of the match Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
The specs
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm
Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto
Price: From Dh139,995
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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SCHEDULE
Thursday, December 6
08.00-15.00 Technical scrutineering
15.00-17.00 Extra free practice
Friday, December 7
09.10-09.30 F4 free practice
09.40-10.00 F4 time trials
10.15-11.15 F1 free practice
14.00 F4 race 1
15.30 BRM F1 qualifying
Saturday, December 8
09.10-09.30 F4 free practice
09.40-10.00 F4 time trials
10.15-11.15 F1 free practice
14.00 F4 race 2
15.30 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
Roger Federer's 2018 record
Australian Open Champion
Rotterdam Champion
Indian Wells Runner-up
Miami Second round
Stuttgart Champion
Halle Runner-up
Wimbledon Quarter-finals
Cincinnati Runner-up
US Open Fourth round
Shanghai Semi-finals
Basel Champion
Paris Masters Semi-finals
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Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
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Specs
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 405hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 562Nm at 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.2L/100km
Price: From Dh292,845 (Reserve); from Dh320,145 (Presidential)
On sale: Now
Kill%20
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Total eligible population
About 57.5 million people
51.1 million received a jab
6.4 million have not
Where are the unvaccinated?
England 11%
Scotland 9%
Wales 10%
Northern Ireland 14%
MATCH INFO
Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)
Charles 57, Amla 47
Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)
Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9
Bangla Tiger win by five wickets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Read more about the coronavirus
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
