Within the framework of International Women’s Day, March 8, the Working Group on Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination (GTG), chaired by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic of Chile, held a webinar in commemoration of International Women’s Day entitled “From Saying to Doing: Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination Policy.”

The session highlighted the importance of mainstreaming the gender perspective within the Supreme Audit Institutions and their functions. This was how concrete actions and good practices implemented by SAIs were presented in the framework of the Policy on Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination, approved at the XXX OLACEFS General Assembly.

The welcome was given by the GTG President, Mr. Jorge Bermúdez, who gave an overview of the Policy on Equality and Non-Discrimination and highlighted the challenge of strengthening our commitment to this issue, as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals, in order to contribute to achieving substantive equality in the region.

The activity brought together panelists from different SAIs who led the axes that make up the Policy. The first to speak was Dr. Camilo Benítez, Comptroller General of the Republic of Paraguay, who presented the Ethical Culture axis. He was followed by Ms. Graciela de la Rosa, Auditor General of Argentina, who presented the Organizational Culture axis. Next, Ms. Nelly Salvo, Secretary General of the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic of Chile, explained the People Management axis. The fourth axis on Sexual/Workplace Harassment was presented by Diana Marcos, Minister of the Court of Accounts of Uruguay. She was followed by Mr. David Colmenares, Senior Auditor of the Federation of Mexico, who presented the Inclusion axis. And finally, the Audit Functions axis was presented by Mrs. Yesmín M. Valdivieso, Comptroller of the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

In closing, announcements were made about different milestones in the area of gender at the organizational level. First, the opening of the second survey “Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the staff of OLACEFS member SAIs” was reported, which follows up on the one conducted in 2020. On the other hand, the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic of Chile reported on the availability for Chilean staff to attend the course on “Gender and Non-Discrimination,” which will soon be available to all member SAIs. Finally, to conclude the session, all SAIs were invited to participate in the next OLACEFS Coordinated Audit, whose main theme is violence against women.

To relive this experience, check out the video link below: