Two weeks before International Women's Day, leaders from nine major companies in Portugal come together to create the forum 'Leaders for Equality' with the ambition to inspire and take action for a fairer and more egalitarian society. The union, born out of the shared values and initiatives related to equality, diversity, and inclusion among these companies, aims to be a group for discussion and reflection through regular in-person and digital meetings, among other future actions.

Despite the global progress made in recent years, many people continue to face discrimination based on their personal characteristics and find themselves at a disadvantage due to their gender, ethnicity, nationality, age, or sexual orientation. With this challenge in mind, leaders from nine companies who believe in the social and business benefits of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion have come together to learn together, stimulate, and promote positive change in Portugal.

The working group includes José Gonçalves (Accenture), Filipa Leite de Castro (Argo Partners), Miguel Almeida (Cisco), Maria João Ricou (Cuatrecasas), Vera Pinto Pereira (EDP), Nuno Luz (FNAC), Helen Duphorn (IKEA), Rodrigo Simões de Almeida (Mercer), and Paulo Câmara (Sérvulo & Associados).

The forum "Leaders for Equality" will focus its work on creating a movement that seeks to contribute to workplaces and leaderships as diverse as the society they belong to and as inclusive as the world should be.

"At Accenture, we believe that a culture of equality is essential to create a sense of belonging and ensure that all employees can thrive and find happiness in the workplace. We take pride in having anticipated the importance of topics such as gender equality and diversity, committing to concrete goals such as gender parity by 2025, not only as a matter of human rights but also as corporate values and business imperatives. It is a key factor for the success, creativity, and innovation capacity of the company, and a reflection of the society we are part of. It is a privilege for us to participate in this forum with some of the leading companies in Portugal who share our motivation to inspire our country on its journey towards equality in all aspects," says José Gonçalves, CEO of Accenture.

"Argo Partners has been closely involved with various associations that promote diversity and inclusion. As partners of the Associação Salvador, Stand4Good, and more recently the ICF (Inclusive Community Forum), we have been helping raise awareness among our clients about the added value that having more diverse teams can bring. As a human resources consulting company, we have seen a growing concern with the topics of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion and have also sought to serve as a market barometer by sharing successful examples and best practices. The invitation extended by Helen Duphorn to participate in this forum was another opportunity for Argo Partners to enrich its perspectives and continue contributing to a more inclusive job market," says Filipa Leite de Castro, a partner at Argo Partners.

"At Cisco, we are guided by our purpose to drive a more sustainable and inclusive future for all. It is crucial to break down any barriers to inclusion, amplify the impact of inclusive leadership, and promote equity. This means building a work environment where there is respect for differences," says Miguel Almeida, CEO of Cisco.

"At Cuatrecasas, we are fully committed to the values of Diversity and Inclusion and have implemented specific policies and concrete measures to promote gender equality. It is with great enthusiasm and pride that I accepted the invitation from Helen Duphorn, the IKEA leader who initiated this initiative, to join this group of business leaders with the aim of creating a platform that contributes to raising awareness among institutions and organizations in general through promoting the exchange of ideas and sharing experiences and solutions for a fairer and more equitable society," says Maria João Ricou, Managing Partner of Cuatrecasas in Portugal.

"At EDP, we are fully committed to the values of Diversity and Inclusion and have implemented specific policies and measures to promote gender equality. We are excited to be part of this 'Leaders for Equality' forum, which will undoubtedly contribute to the evolution of our society. Companies like EDP that invest in diversity, equality, and inclusion are more resilient, innovative, and competitive, and their example inspires and contributes to a fairer society where everyone has equal access to opportunities. By promoting the sharing of best practices and providing space for reflection and debate on solutions, this forum will certainly be an important catalyst for change," comments Vera Pinto Pereira, Executive Board Member of EDP.

"Values such as equality and respect are intrinsic to the DNA of the FNAC brand, and that is why it makes perfect sense for us to be part of this working group that aims to promote a fairer society in the job market. We believe that our positioning of 'cultivating difference' has reinforced with our customers the work we have been doing internally. An example of this is the inclusion policy we are implementing to integrate people with disabilities, for which we have great growth ambitions. As a recognized brand in the market, it is our mission to lead by example and continue to encourage other companies to do the same," says Nuno Luz, CEO of FNAC.

"It is with a great sense of responsibility and pride that we announce this forum of peer work among those who care about Equality in their workplaces and in society in general. It is essential to bring the topics of Diversity and Inclusion to the table and expand this debate for the sake of a fairer and more egalitarian society. This networked work is of immense importance to me as a leader, and I hope it can also inspire other organizations to join the movement and, for example, put an end to salary differences between men and women in Portugal," states Helen Duphorn, CEO of IKEA Portugal.

"It is a great honor for Mercer to be part of this 'Leaders for Equality' forum, which will undoubtedly contribute to the evolution of our society. Over the years, we have implemented policies to eliminate wage inequality and promote equity, working to eliminate any form of discrimination and promoting a highly inclusive culture. In addition to our efforts within the company, which are shared throughout the Marsh McLennan Group, and aware of our role, we have conducted various market studies that help organizations address this issue that unfortunately still exists. In this context, being part of this forum makes perfect sense, and it is great to see that we are starting to have a structure to have some positive influence on our society," adds Rodrigo Simões de Almeida, CEO of Mercer Portugal.

"Sérvulo & Associados immediately embraced the initiative of the 'Leaders for Equality' forum. Equality is an asset to be considered by companies, a tool for productivity, innovation, and gains. It is necessary to create inclusive environments that promote diversity. We know that different people are capable of identifying challenges, risks, and also different solutions within organizations. We have implemented numerous inclusion measures, including non-prorated reduction of performance premiums for lawyers due to extended absences due to parenthood. We welcome and identify with initiatives like this that take the lead on socially relevant topics for the progress of civil society," highlights Paulo Câmara, Managing Partner of Sérvulo & Associados.