TCU Reinforces Commitment to Gender Equality at International Meeting

The Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) shared its initiatives and progress in advancing women’s leadership during the roundtable discussion “Women in Leadership,” held on June 10. The hybrid-format event was organized by the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of São Tomé and Príncipe and brought together local authorities, representatives from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), and international organizations to discuss gender equality policies in public administration.

The TCU was represented by Marcela de Oliveira Timóteo, auditor and Coordinator of the TCU's Technical Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, as well as technical lead for the implementation of the UNDP Gender Equality Seal within the institution.

During the panel “Policies and Support Networks for Promoting Gender Equality and Leadership,” Marcela presented the TCU’s institutional journey toward building a more inclusive and equitable work environment. In her remarks, she highlighted the Court’s firm commitment to gender equity:

“At the TCU, we have made significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion, with the UNDP Gender Equality Seal serving as a key driver in this journey. The increasing presence of women in strategic leadership roles within the TCU Secretariat, sustained over three consecutive administrations, reflects these ongoing advances,” she emphasized.

Among the practices presented by the TCU were:

Regulation of gender parity in strategic and tactical leadership positions through TCU Ordinance 67/2023;

Adherence to the UNDP Gender Equality Seal, recognizing the TCU as one of the Brazilian public institutions committed to gender equity;

Conduction of a study to investigate women’s interest in leadership roles and the potential barriers they face within the institution;

Implementation of training programs exclusively for women, focusing on the development of leadership skills.

The event also featured thematic panels addressing topics such as female representation in decision-making positions, progress and challenges in public gender policies, and support networks for women in leadership.

Key attendees included Vera Cravid, Minister of Justice and Women’s Rights of São Tomé and Príncipe, and representatives from the Supreme Audit Institutions of Portugal, Angola, Cape Verde, and Guinea-Bissau.