Itaipu promotes gender equality, joining the global HeForShe campaign

Itaipu Binacional takes another big step toward gender equality. Owned by Brazil and Paraguay, the company joined the global HeForShe campaign (www.heforshe.org/pt), a solidarity movement for gender equality that brings together one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity, for the benefit of all.

The commitment was signed by Itaipu’s General Directors, Brazil’s Jorge Samek and Paraguay’s James Spalding, and Luiza Carvalho, Regional Director of UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean, with the support of the Fundación Parque Tecnológico Itaipu (FPTI) and the community of Foz do Iguaçu and the other cities in the border area.

By joining the movement, Itaipu becomes the first public company in Brazil to join the global HeForShe movement. Already honoured with the seal of the Gender and Race Equality Programme, which is conferred by the federal government’s Secretariat of Policies for Women (SPM), and recognized by the United Nations for embracing the seven Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), Itaipu is committed to furthering the actions it has been taking within and beyond the firm to eliminate the barriers that prevent women from achieving their potential.

Itaipu’s Chief Financial Officer, Margaret Groff, as ambassador for women’s empowerment, notes that participating in this campaign is a great opportunity to put gender in the spotlight. “Gender equality is an urgent agenda issue. Despite progress in many places in the last few years, no country has achieved equality between men and women. Much has been done at Itaipu, but the process is an on-going one, and we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent,” she says.

Nadine Gasman, who represents UN Women Brazil, emphasizes the leadership that Itaipu, as a binational enterprise, shows by joining the campaign. “Itaipu is expanding the HeForShe movement to embrace its employees, clients, providers, and other firms.”

The event

At the commitment ceremony participated Minister Eleonora Menicucci of the Secretariat of Policies for Women of the Office of the President of the Republic (SPM), Minister Ana María Baiardi of Paraguay’s Ministry of Women, and Nadine Gasman and Carolina Taborga representing UN Women Brazil and UN Women Paraguay respectively, as other officials and guests.

The HeForShe campaign was launched worldwide in September 2014 at the United Nations General Assembly by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, and the Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, among other officials. Emma Watson, Global Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women, who is eminently suited to mobilize young people, universities, companies and governments, has become one of the movement’s main spokespersons.

In Brazil, the movement began in May of this year with the members of the National Confederation of Municipalities at the 18th National March of Municipalities, which included over 5,000 mayors and municipal officials. This Wednesday, the 24th, in São Paulo, the campaign was featured by the cable/satellite television channel GNT.

In addition to increasing content related to gender equality and women’s empowerment, the GNT/Globosat social networks are encouraging men and boys to join the movement at the campaign’s website, www.heforshe.org.

In-house mobilization

The activities surrounding Itaipu’s joining the global HeForShe movement began at the plant on Wednesday the 24th, when employees from all parts of the facility posed for photos with posters of the campaign.

Itaipu has close to 3,000 employees, both Brazilians and Paraguayans. Today, women constitute 20% of the workforce. The company’s internal culture is changing, with affirmative action and growing emphasis on initiatives that promote respect for diversity, with benefits for both women and men.

As a pioneer in the electrical sector with its policy for the promotion of women’s status, the company has been honoured four times running by the seal of the federal government’s Gender and Race Equality Programme, and by the United Nations in recognition of its application of the Seven Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).

What has changed at Itaipu

With its commitment to a culture of gender equality and women’s empowerment, Itaipu today is an example for others in Brazil and elsewhere. In addition to increasing the number of women in positions of responsibility, the company has, among other things, adopted an internal policy of extending workers’ benefits to the spouses or stable partners of employees, including same-sex couples. It also allows flexible work hours to make it easier for mothers and fathers to pick up their children at school.

Until 2003, women represented 10% of Itaipu’s management. In 2015, this figure is 22%. In recognition of such actions for gender equality, Director Margaret Groff in 2013 was awarded the Oslo Business for Peace Prize, making her an ambassador for women’s autonomy.

Recognition

In recognition of its work, Itaipu Binacional has been honoured with the seal of the Gender and Race Equality Programme awarded by the federal government’s Secretariat of Policies for Women (SPM). Moreover, in 2013, UN Women and the Global Compact awarded Itaipu the first Leadership for Women’s Empowerment Prize in the “Seven Principles” category.

In 2015, Itaipu will launch the second WEPs-Brazil “Companies Empowering Women” prize, which was first awarded in 2013, when over 30 small, medium, and large firms received prizes or honourable mention.

About HeForShe

HeForShe is a solidarity movement designed by UN Women to encourage governmental leaders and politicians, men’s organizations and other civil society organizations, universities and schools, and men and boys in general, to promote gender equality and the human rights of women.

These partners are urged to take action against the inequalities that face adult women and girls. The objective is to promote thinking and action on the responsibility that men and boys have to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and violence against women and girls. For more information, visit the website, www.heforshe.org.

Guidelines for firms from the HeForShe movement

1. Use the Principles for Women’s Empowerment (WEPs) as a guide, and develop a gender action plan with specific targets and indicators associated with the Principles, so that you can measure and inform the public about your progress.

2. In Brazil, companies can join the federal government’s Gender and Race Equality Programme, hoping to earn the seal that is granted in recognition of inclusive action.

3. Take measures to join the United Nations Global Compact, a strategic policy initiative for companies that have committed themselves to operations and strategies based on ten principles that are universally accepted in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.

4. Use the HeForShe commitment map to measure the participation of male workers, and go to the website (www.heforshe.org) to add information as your workers join the campaign.

5. Organize trainings to create awareness about gender issues and gender equality initiatives.

6. Introduce the subject of gender equality at your major speeches, events, and corporate meetings.

7. Promote a zero-tolerance policy with respect to violence against women in the workplace.

8. Develop your own campaign as part of the UN Women “10x10x10” initiative, and disseminate information on the HeForShe movement through corporate distribution systems and supply chains.

9. Hold discussion groups on issues that address women’s empowerment.

10. Use your corporate footprint to pave the way for your providers and clients to join the HeForShe movement.