Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka – The Power of Women in Shaping the Future

The Women’s Pavilion project, initiated by the Cartier brand in collaboration with the World Expo Bureau, continues the mission that began in Dubai during Expo 2020. Its goal is to create a legacy to be passed on to future generations – the Women’s Pavilion seeks to build a world in which all people live in harmony, each individual contributes to shaping the future as part of the human community, and people of all genders coexist in true equality and mutual respect.

At the Women’s Pavilion during Expo 2025, inspiring initiatives were showcased that demonstrated how women are truly changing the world — from modern technology start-ups and innovative educational projects to efforts promoting equality, diversity, and sustainable development.

Events at the Women’s Pavilion and the Poland Pavilion

Poland actively showcased the achievements of women during events held at the Women’s Pavilion and the Poland Pavilion. A special place at Expo 2025 was dedicated to Maria Skłodowska-Curie – the two-time Nobel laureate whose life and groundbreaking scientific accomplishments remain an endless source of inspiration.

During the Polish Women in Science Day, organized on April 25 by the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of National Education as part of the Polish Science and Education Days, visitors could experience the digital exhibition “A Continuous Thread: Maria Skłodowska-Curie 1867–1934” at the Poland Pavilion. Presented in English and Japanese, the exhibition offered a modern and accessible portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most remarkable figures in world science.

Two prestigious discussion panels were held. The first, “Women Leaders in Science,” brought together outstanding Polish researchers who shared their experiences and reflections on women’s leadership in the scientific world. The second panel, titled “Icons of Science: Conversations Around the Publication of the Letters of Maria Skłodowska-Curie and Albert Einstein,” explored the inspiring relationship between two great minds, emphasizing that intellectual partnership and mutual support transcend both time and gender.

During the Polish Women in Science Day at the Women’s Pavilion, the Ministry of National Education presented the project “Szyfrodziewczyny” (“Code Girls”), which tells the stories of women involved in intelligence and cryptography. Among them were codebreakers such as Wanda Modlibowska, also known for setting world records in gliding, and Halina Ryffert, a mathematics graduate from the University of Poznań who later became a distinguished professor of acoustics. The project also highlighted Krystyna Skarbek, a Polish agent of the British Special Operations Executive during World War II, and Helena Rasiowa, an eminent Polish mathematician whose work laid theoretical foundations for computer science and artificial intelligence.

Outstanding Polish Women Visit the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2025

At Expo 2025, Poland was represented by charismatic women who have long shaped Polish culture, sports, and international image:

• Urszula Dudziak – a legend of the global jazz scene,
• Yuka Ebihara – principal dancer of the Polish National Ballet, Ambassador of the Poland Pavilion at Expo 2025
• Anita Włodarczyk – multi-time Olympic medalist, a symbol of strength and determination in Polish sports, Ambassador of the Poland Pavilion.

On September 5, 2025, during the Day of Dance and Music Across Generations, Urszula Dudziak and Yuka Ebihara were the stars of a special event at the Women’s Pavilion.

Urszula Dudziak spoke about the power of music as a form of dialogue between generations and cultures; she also shared personal reflections on how to live life to the fullest and maintain energy at any age. She performed for the audience, receiving enthusiastic applause.

Yuka Ebihara shared her artistic and life experiences related to her stay and work in Poland. She emphasized the warmth and kindness of the Polish people, which has always been a great support for her and which she also experienced as the official Ambassador of the Poland Pavilion at Expo 2025.

Another special event at the Women’s Pavilion took place on September 20, 2025, featuring Anita Włodarczyk as part of the “Polish and Japanese Women in Sports” initiative. The decorated Polish athlete focused her talk on the challenges in sports and the mission of inspiring young women to engage in physical activity and overcome personal limits. She discussed working with a psychologist and the crucial role of mental strength in facing difficulties.

Women as Architects of the Future at Expo 2025

The World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai was not only a celebration of innovation but also a look toward a future in which women play an increasingly significant role in the civilizational and cultural development of the world—often serving as key architects of change. Their creativity, empathy, and visionary approach enable the creation of solutions that address the most pressing contemporary challenges: from climate change and the digital revolution to building open societies.

From this perspective, initiatives such as the Women’s Pavilion gain significance far beyond the context of the Expo—they give a voice to women from around the world, whose voices are still denied or undervalued in many countries. Their active participation in World Expos, including Expo 2025 in Osaka, becomes one of the keys to creating more equal, inclusive societies and fostering sustainable development.

The achievements of outstanding Polish women, showcased in the Women’s Pavilion and the Poland Pavilion at Expo 2025, demonstrate that women have contributed to and increasingly shape the modern image of Poland, a country dynamically developing in an era of greater equality and innovative breakthroughs.