The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity challenged men, particularly businessmen, to engage in the fight against gender inequality, stressing that the debate on this theme "is not a prerogative of women."

"Gender equality is not just measured by statistics and it does not mean 50 percent parity, it is rather the equal access to positions and duties within and outside companies," stressed Piedade Lalanda. The government official spoke at the opening session of the Meeting on Gender Equality, where she addressed the theme "The Importance of Strengthening Gender Equality in Organisations."

Piedade Lalanda stressed that "gender parity benefits the quality of life" as it allows "men to enjoy more time for their personal and family life."

"What is in question is the enhancement of skills and efficiency of collaborators, both men and women," said the government official. The Regional Secretary added that these goals will be achieved by "promoting equal access within and outside companies either in the area of training and leadership or in the performance of family roles and civic participation, being important aspects that complement the identity of each worker."

In this regard, Piedade Lalanda recalled that since 2011, the Azores may rely on the Regional Commission for Equality at Work and Companies (CRITE-A). This body has the mission “to promote equality and the non-discrimination between men and women in labour as well as to protect motherhood and fatherhood and the reconciliation of work with family life, through the collaboration in the enforcement of legal and conventional provisions on this matter in the private, public and cooperative sectors."

Piedade Lalanda stressed that CRITE-A "is not a mere monitoring body" since it is also intended to promote the debate and reflection conducive to changes that are necessary "to promote justice and parity in the labour and employment world."

"It is important that, through this committee, we may be able to reinforce the debate and reflection on the problems that prevent the assertion of gender equality in Azorean organisations, without forgetting that this commission also plays an important role in the defence of workers, particularly with regard to the compliance with the law."