Letter from the President of OLACEFS - April 2026

With a deep sense of responsibility, I write to reflect on and highlight the significant progress made by OLACEFS in promoting standards of inclusion, equality, and diversity throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. This month, I invite everyone to take a closer look at gender equality a critical and urgent issue in the public sphere.

The challenges related to gender equality transcend borders and require that we, as representatives of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), take concrete action beyond mere rhetoric.

In this regard, OLACEFS has demonstrated structured efforts since 2012, when the Santo Domingo Declaration underscored the importance of integrating a gender perspective into auditing in a transparent manner. In addition, the Policy on Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination was approved in 2021, together with a guide designed to support SAIs in implementing 101 recommendations organized into strategic pillars.

Three years after this initiative, an assessment was conducted to evaluate progress in adopting the recommended measures. The results show encouraging progress: of the 15 SAIs analyzed, 73% implemented more than 50% of the measures. This outcome demonstrates our institutions capacity to respond to a long-standing demand.

Since then, OLACEFS has further expanded its focus on gender equality. In 2023, at the 77th Meeting of the Governing Board held in Peru, the Commission on Gender, Inclusion, and Diversity (CGID) was established. Currently chaired by the National Audit Office of Argentina, the CGID's mission is to promote regional cooperation and strengthen institutional capacities in this area. Notable advances include the creation of the Observatory on Gender, Inclusion, and Diversity and the provision of regional training sessions aimed at integrating a gender perspective into SAIs.

Despite this progress, challenges remain. Some pillars of the Policy on Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination, such as Inclusion and Audit Functions, showed the lowest implementation rates. Furthermore, the recommendation to guarantee the rights of people of sexual and gender diversity was implemented in only one country. These findings indicate where efforts must be intensified and commitments reaffirmed.

In this context, the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), during its term as OLACEFS Chair, aims to contribute to the dissemination of best practices, whether in combating discrimination or promoting equality. An essential reference in this field is the World Public Sector Report 2025, published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), which offers valuable insights into methodologies and global examples that can inspire SAIs in audits focused on inclusion and combating inequalities.

The report highlights the importance of an approach based on the Leave No One Behind principle, emphasizing audits that identify gaps in public policies and strengthen the trust of marginalized groups in public institutions. SAI Costa Rica, for example, promoted the adoption of several gender policies by auditing the government's preparedness for SDG 5.

At the same time, we must address another issue closely linked to gender equality: violence against women. In a recent speech, I emphasized that the State fails whenever a woman is a victim of femicide. This extreme form of violence, rooted in structural discrimination and outdated cultural norms, requires an integrated, evidence-based response.

In light of this, the TCU is coordinating the Vidas Interrompidas (Lives Cut Short) audit, which will assess the effectiveness of institutional mechanisms designed to protect women and prevent cases of fatal violence. This initiative has the potential to serve as a reference for SAIs, as it aims to translate technical recommendations into effective commitments to equality and the preservation of life.

Our role is to lead by example, influence policies, conduct audits with purpose, and foster changes that reach the foundations of society. Addressing inequality and gender-based violence requires cultural transformation a responsibility that rests especially with leaders.

In closing, I thank you all for your commitment to advancing these critical issues. OLACEFS is well positioned to become a global leader in inclusive governance. May our future actions be even more transformative and contribute to building a more just future for all.

With respect and resolve,