ProInter Initiative in South Africa Brings Together Women to Discuss Leadership and Equity in Audit Institutions

A shared purpose united 31 women from 23 Portuguese and English-speaking African countries, as well as from Brazil. At the center of the debate was the leadership exercised and desired by them in audit institutions. Held in Pretoria, South Africa, the meeting marks the in-person stage of the 3rd edition of the "Women in Leadership" Program part of the Exchange Program in Audit and Government Management of the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (ProInter-TCU).

Organized by the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) in partnership with the African Organization of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E) and the Program for Consolidating Economic Governance and Public Finance Management Systems in Portuguese-Speaking African Countries and Timor-Leste (PROPALOP-TL), the sessions took place between October 13 and 17.

On the occasion, participants shared their vision of power, governance, and humanity, and interchanged experiences and knowledge on topics such as human rights, equity, diversity and inclusion, and gender-responsive budgeting.

Consolidating an exchange network

The head of the Serzedello Corrêa Capacity Development Institute (ISC), Ana Cristina Novaes, highlighted how the experience favored building connections and reinforcing female leadership in the public sector.

"This gathering of women from different countries gave me a perception that is not so evident from a distance: despite our cultural, institutional, and personal trajectory differences, women in leadership positions carry very similar challenges and very close strengths. We are focused on the gender equity agenda in public management, but, above all, we recognize in ourselves the same hesitations and efforts," she expressed.

According to Ana Cristina Novaes, the exchange contributed to looking into these common experiences and increasing the awareness that women do not occupy these spaces alone. "There is a solid network, formed by real affinities, which can sustain and expand our performance," she noted.

After an intense year of work by the teams involved in the organization of this third edition of ProInter, with emphasis on the articulation with the external partners of AFROSAI-E and PROPALOP-TL, the head of the TCU's international Cooperation Division, Renata Oliveira Costa, shared that the sentiment that remains is one of gratitude, from closely following the cooperation materialize through the exchange of good practices.

"In Pretoria, I was able to see the exchange of ideas take shape in the workshops on important topics such as gender budgeting, audits and women's leadership. I hope the legacy of the three successful editions of ProInter during the TCU's chairmanship of INTOSAI will be reflected in the consolidation of an international network of women leaders in government audit, making our institutions fairer and more representative," she declared.

Marcela de Oliveira Timoteo, auditor and head of the TCU's Technical Committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, mentioned how satisfying and gratifying is to see participants impacted by other professionals and gaining extra fuel for their careers, helping to create a network of women leaders at a global level.

"All this was only possible thanks to the exceptional dedication of TCU's international cooperation and corporate education teams, which delivered one more edition of the ProInter Program Women in Leadership," she pointed out.

Sandra Bragança, head of the institutional communication division of the Department of Communications (Secom) and participant of this edition, underlined the opportunity to learn and share experiences among peers.

"Learning about Equanomics, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) initiative that combines "equality" and "economics" to promote fairer and more equitable economic systems for women, expanded my perspective on the need for government actions that avoid reinforcing existing inequalities."

On leadership, Sandra emphasized the importance of leaving a legacy of female success for the next generations. "For this to happen, it is necessary constant training and leadership performance based on three pillars: inspiration, motivation, and commitment."

According to Hugo Chudyson, TCU's Head of the Department of International Relations, ProInter has become a milestone in worldwide promotion of female leadership in Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) and stands among the key achievements of TCU's term as chair of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).

"The program's scope has expanded both geographically and linguistically in this edition, with the first in-person meeting in South Africa and increasing the participation of the region's SAIs", he pointed out. "Altogether, 84 women leaders participated across the three editions of ProInter, reflecting the commitment of INTOSAI and TCU to diversity and equal opportunities, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," he added.

Plurality of voices and experiences

Before the beginning of the activities, the Secretary-General of OISC-CPLP and TCU Minister Benjamin Zymler welcomed the participants.

"The exchange of good practices and the sharing of experiences are fundamental to strengthening our supreme audit institutions competences. In this edition, we celebrate the geographic and linguistic expansion of ProInter, and I hope that it becomes an opportunity for the interchange of knowledge, and both professional and personal improvement," he stated.

Tsakani Maluleke, South Africa's Auditor General, opened the event. She shared her path and highlighted the importance of integrity, diversity, and female representation in audit institutions.

Caroline Othim, Technical Expert in Taxation and Gender Equality at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), addressed the relation between fiscal policies, budget decisions, and gender equity. Additionally, she explained in detail the UNDP Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions, an instrument that guides and recognizes good institutional practices promoting equality.

Vivian Souza da Silva, UNDP's senior consultant to the Court, presented TCU's experience implementing the methodology. She highlighted the advances accomplished and the lessons learned in the certification process, combining theory and practice.

The program also included a workshop presented by AFROSAI-E representative Wilna Degenaar on "Leadership with balance", covering management skills, well-being, and organizational impact.

A traditional part of ProInter's activities, Gisele Szczyglak, a professor and PhD in political philosophy from the University of Toulouse, conducted the "Women in Leadership" training. In the expert's assessment, the meeting consolidated a constellation of voices committed to the transformation of institutions and foundation of a fairer life. "We experienced deep discussions. A moving sisterhood that transcends borders, cultures, and beliefs," as she defined.

The event concluded with a presentation by Cristina Duarte, Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary-General, who emphasized the need to understand gender equality as a strategic dimension of transformative power, good governance, and macroeconomic impact.