Gender equality was the key topic of the “Gender Equality Forum – prerequisite for sustainable development and poverty eradication”. The event, which is part of Rio+20’s side-event program, was held at the Space Humanity 2012 (Espaço Humanidade 2012) and was attended by the Minister for the Environment, Izabella Teixeira.

Minister Teixeira appealed to Brazil’s Business and Industries Federation to get engaged to increase women’s participation in administrative councils. According to the Environment Ministry, only 11% of businesses that trade in São Paulo’s stock exchange market (Bovespa) have women in their councils.

Many women representing various sectors of national and international life, such as Senator Martha Suplicy and Minister for the Policies for the Promotion of Racial Equality, Luiza Bairros, were attending.  Study cases about Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo industries that promote gender equality in their daily routines were presented. 

Humanity 2012 is a joint initiative by Fiesp, Sistema Firjan, Fundação Roberto Marinho, Sesi-Rio, Sesi-SP, Senai-Rio, Senai-SP, and sponsored by Rio’s City Hall, Sebrae and Caixa Econômica Federal, a federal bank. The event will be held at Copacabana’s Fort until the June 22, as part of Rio+20’s side-event program.