UNESCO and ZeeArts Marked World Art Day with Webinar Celebrating Women’s Artistic Resilience

Representing the UAE National Commission, Mrs. Aisha Al Suwaidi detailed efforts to strengthen international cooperation and cultural initiatives, underscoring the UAE's vital role in global cultural forums.

Ms. Zaahirah Muthy, Mauritian artist and founder of ZeeArts Gallery, presented the pioneering Art Connects Women initiative-a global platform dedicated to elevating female artists across continents. As an internationally recognized Global Cultural Developer, Muthy leverages art as a catalyst for social change, championing gender equality and the UN Sustainable Development Goals to foster a more inclusive and sustainable creative economy.

The event featured a panel discussion addressing the challenges artists face amid uncertainty, as well as the creative and innovative tools they use to respond. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Rasul Samadov, Head of the Culture Unit at the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen.

Two artists from Yemen participated in the event. Among them, Ms. Saeeda Ali Abdullah, a visual artist and researcher specializing in art-based healing in conflict settings, reflected on her exhibition Malath (Sanctuary). She emphasized the role of art therapy in addressing trauma, explaining how her work uses body postures and color to express emotions such as pain, vulnerability, and resilience. Through this approach, she highlighted art's capacity to soften emotional hardship and create moments of relief and healing, even in the most challenging circumstances.