Women in Leadership Exchange Program launches its 2025 edition

On October 6, the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) launched the third edition of the Women in Leadership Exchange Program. The initiative, led by the Department of International Relations and the Serzedello Corrêa Institute (ISC) for Capacity Building, is part of the Exchange Program in Audit and Government Management (ProInter) and aims to strengthen the role of women in leadership positions within Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs).

The initiative is carried out in partnership with the Programme for Consolidating Economic Governance and Public Finance Management Systems in Portuguese-Speaking African Countries and Timor-Leste (PROPALOP-TL) and the African Organization of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E).

In this third edition, the target audience includes female staff from institutions linked to the Organization of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (OISC-CPLP) and AFROSAI-E. The event is being held in a hybrid format, with a virtual stage from October 6 to 8, in-person meetings in Pretoria, South Africa, from October 13 to 17, and a virtual closing session on December 5. The exchange covers topics such as human rights, equity, diversity and inclusion, leadership, and gender-responsive public finance. It also seeks to foster the creation of an international network of women leaders in the field of public auditing.

The opening ceremony was led by Marcela Timóteo, TCU auditor and coordinator of the Technical Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (CTEDI), and was attended by Juliana Pontes, the Court's Secretary General for Government Audit. Timóteo celebrated the growth of the initiative, which began in 2023 with 15 participants and, by 2025, has already reached a global network of women leaders. The goal is to continue connecting women around the world, sharing experiences, and strengthening the institutional capacity of our organizations, she said.

In her remarks, Pontes highlighted the institution's commitment to promoting equity and women's leadership.

The TCU has established itself as an institution that encourages and supports women's leadership at all levels. The program reinforces this mission by promoting international exchange and cooperation around a shared gender equality agenda, she said.

The secretary general emphasized the program's transformative nature, stating that the initiative not only aims to teach leadership skills but also to help women recognize themselves as leaders. It is important that we confidently step into spaces that were not originally meant for us. The world needs better people, and women bring with them qualities that make it better, she added.

Also participating in the opening were Ricardo Godinho Gomes, chief technical advisor for Governance Programmes at the UN Joint Office in Cape Verde, and Meisie Nkau, executive director of AFROSAI-E. Gomes highlighted the program's role in promoting gender equality and empowering women leaders in African public institutions.

ProInter is an outstanding initiative for promoting leadership, and we are very proud to be part of this partnership, which has already supported several female auditors in advancing their careers and participating in international academic programs in public finance expanding the reach and impact of gender equality within our institutions, he said.

Representing AFROSAI-E, Meisie Nkau highlighted the program's inspiring and collaborative spirit, noting that when women come together, they can achieve remarkable results. This initiative goes beyond technical training it's about self-discovery, inspiration, and the courage to lead with authenticity, she noted. Nkau also pointed out the symbolism of expanding the international network to include participants from English-speaking African countries and the significance of the in-person stage in Pretoria.

We'll be in the city of jacaranda trees, whose flowers symbolize strength and renewal. Like these blossoms, women in leadership flourish and transform the environments in which they work, she said.

Stages of the exchange

The initial preparation phase included participants from 31 countries, representing both Portuguese and English-speaking African communities. During this stage, participants shared their expectations ranging from enhancing communication and management skills to tackling cultural and institutional challenges that limit women's participation in leadership roles.

The virtual phase covered topics such as Gender Mainstreaming and Regulatory Frameworks, the UNDP Gender Equality Seal, and experiences from TCU and AFROSAI-E in integrating gender perspective into audits. The in-person phase will focus on budgetary decisions through a gender lens and the Women in Leadership course, which features practical activities for personal and institutional development.

The course will focus on building networks and alliances, as well as on addressing the role of women as leaders. It will be conducted by Professor Gisèle Szczyglak, a faculty member at France's École Nationale d Administration (ENA), founder and CEO of WLC Partners and the Open Mentoring Network, and an expert in mentoring, collective intelligence, and women's leadership. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Philosophy from the University of Toulouse II and a postdoctoral degree in Sociology and Applied Ethics from the University of Montreal.

The final stage, in December, will feature the presentation of participants final projects, reflecting on challenges, progress, and best practices in promoting gender equality in their respective contexts. These projects will be published on the program's website to disseminate knowledge and strengthen international cooperation.