The female-led WE, THE WOMEN, became the first festival of its kind to occur in the Middle East. 

The event was held at Expo 2020 Dubai on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th March 2022.

 Performing acts included both up-and-coming and well-known African female musicians.

The festival offered an opportunity for female artists to address issues concerning gender equality and provide uplifting messages of female empowerment as part of a wider #BreakTheBias campaign for Tuesday 8th’s International Women’s Day.

Hosted by Dignified Storytelling and the Women’s Pavilion, the aim of the initiative reads: “Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discirmination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality and empowerment. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Among the ten performing women musicians and storytellers from around the world was African supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique. 

Formed in Mali in 2015, the band comprises famed solo artists such as Angelique Kidjo, Mariam Doumbia, and Nneka. 

The origins of each member of the Pan-African group spans the continent: Mali, Benin, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Gabon, and Guinea. 

Also in the lineup were East-African retro-pop group, Alsarah & The Nubatones – fronted by Sudanese-born, Alsarah, Egyptian singer and composer Dina El Wedidi, and Algerian-Berber singer-songwriter Souad Massi, Tunisian songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emel Mathlouthi. 

Mathlouthi was called “The Voice of the Tunisian Revolution” after the video for her song “Kelmti Horra (My World is Free)” went viral and became an anthem for protestors during the 2010 uprisings.