Image: Unsplash
Last night, the world’s tallest building didn’t shine quite as brightly as it usually does. However, it was not a fault that caused the lights on the Burj Khalifa to dim – instead, the record-breaking tower was taking an empowering stand to support gender equality. The building turned off the lights on the top half of its monumental structure on Tuesday in a show of solidarity with a movement launched by the United Nations (UN). The #MorePowerfulTogether campaign, which forms part of the global #HeforShe initiative, strives for the advancement of gender equality across the globe.
According to the UN Women website, more than half a billion women around the world live in unacceptable conditions of poverty, while one in three experiences violence at some point throughout their lives. “Women still earn less than men for the same work even when they have the same abilities and experience, and they make up just 23.8% of parliaments across the world,” the site adds, with the campaign encouraging all people, regardless of their gender, to challenge negative stereotyping and behaviors.
أطفئت نصف أنوار برج خليفة الليلة تضامناً مع حملة هيئة الأمم المتحدة للمرأة #MorePowerfulTogether
Half lights off at Dubai’s @BurjKhalifa in support of #MorePowerfulTogether campaign, part of global #HeforShe initiative. Join the conversation@UN_Women @unwomenarabic @HeforShe pic.twitter.com/B2bSmpEMsI
— UN Women in UAE (@unwomenuae) September 25, 2018
The Burj Khalifa joined buildings around the world that switched off their lights to support the campaign, following the directives of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood. “The Burj Khalifa turns half its lights off to symbolize the power lost when the world excludes women and girls,” Dubai Media Office tweeted.
This is not the first stand the UAE has made towards supporting gender equality, with the country introducing equal pay legislation earlier this year. The launch of a gender balance guide for companies, improved maternity leave, and the formation of the Gender Balance Council have also taken effect in recent times.
Now Read: Exclusive: HE Reem Al Hashimy on the Importance of Empowering Women and Children
