Program will encourage the creation of practices that strengthen women’s role in City Hall

Municipal guards from the new patrol service that will support women who are victims of domestic violence - Robert Gomes/City Hall of Rio

To inspire and train City Hall managers and leaders, the Municipal Department of Finance and Planning launched the Rio Women's Leadership Program, which aims to encourage the development of skills and the creation of policies and practices that strengthen and enhance women's role in government. The initiative is being carried out in partnership with the Special Secretariat for Policies for the Promotion of Women.

The program, created by means of a decree published in the Official Gazette on the 1st of this month, was conceived after the City Hall identified the need to invest in actions that provide equal and fair management for men and women. The city also considers the importance of female development in the current context, emphasizing the recognition of women's talents and skills as leaders of themselves and managers of their own history and career in public administration.

According to the decree, it is essential to provide means for female civil servants to create paths that lead to self-knowledge and boost their protagonism, enabling a greater understanding of career choices. The intention is for these women to conquer their space of speech and leadership.

The program will be coordinated by the João Goulart Foundation Institute, which will promote actions and training on personal projection, career development, visibility and female entrepreneurship, in addition to other topics related to women and leadership. Guidance on building a network, valuing self-esteem and diversity, and developing communication techniques are also planned.

Another goal of the program is to identify and deconstruct implicit or unconscious ideas that end up leading to gender stereotyping. The Municipal Department of Finance and Planning will issue the regulatory standards for the Rio Feminine Leadership Program for its implementation.

A secretary for them

The City Hall has taken a stand against prejudice and in favor of diversity and, in this context, for example, the Special Secretariat for Women's Promotion Policies was created, which is a partner of the Secretariat of Finance and Planning in the Rio Women's Leadership Program. Combating violence against women is also on the department's agenda.

In addition to offering means for the professional qualification of female civil servants, the secretariat's goals include discussing race and gender in the public service, as a path towards building fairer and more inclusive societies.