Simone Tebet - Entrevista À Rádio Bandeirantes

Introduction: Celebrating Women's Day and Fighting for Equality

On this special day, we are honored to have Minister Simone Tebet, Minister of Planning and Budget, join us to discuss the ongoing fight for gender equality in the workplace. We extend a warm welcome to all our listeners, especially the incredible women who inspire us every day. Today, we celebrate the progress made towards gender equality and explore the changes needed to bridge the remaining gaps.

The Existing Laws: Equality on Paper, Inequality in Reality

Minister Tebet has been a vocal advocate for legislative changes to ensure equal pay for equal work. While the principle of pay parity between men and women has been embedded in the Brazilian Constitution for over 80 years, studies continue to reveal a significant wage gap between genders. The implementation of laws is not enough. Cultural and societal biases still play a major role in perpetuating inequity.

The Multa Controversy: A Failed Attempt to Bridge the Gap

In 2017, as a senator, Minister Tebet played a key role in passing legislation to address pay inequality by imposing fines on employers who violated equal pay laws. Unfortunately, the original intent of the law was undermined by a cap on the fines, which led to unintended consequences. Unscrupulous employers now view the fines as a cost of doing business rather than a deterrent, resulting in continued gender pay disparities.

A New Hope: A Comprehensive Solution to Equal Pay

Recognizing the need for stronger measures, Minister Tebet, along with the Women's Caucus in Congress, embarked on a mission to introduce a new bill that would pave the way for true pay equality. While the details of the bill are yet to be revealed, it aims to address the root causes of gender wage gaps and ensure that achieving pay parity becomes a priority for all employers. Minister Tebet emphasized that for meaningful change to occur, the pain of monetary penalties would need to outweigh the cost of discrimination.

The Power of Courage: Inspiring Women to Pursue Successful Careers

Transitioning to a broader discussion about empowering women in various fields, Minister Tebet shared her own journey of success – from being a senator to becoming a minister. When asked about her advice for women entering the public and political sectors, she highlighted the importance of courage. Minister Tebet passionately spoke about the strength and resilience that women possess, emphasizing that having the courage to overcome challenges is crucial. She reiterated that success should not be defined solely by achievements but also by the lessons learned from failures.

Shifting Cultural Norms: Balancing Work and Household Responsibilities

Acknowledging the persistent burden of domestic responsibilities on women, Minister Tebet attributed the unequal distribution of household chores to deep-rooted cultural norms. While progress has been made, with more men taking an active role in chores and parenting, she stressed the need for targeted public policies. Some proposed solutions include extending parental leave, allowing men to take an equal share, and incentivizing co-parenting. Minister Tebet emphasized the importance of engaging in open discussions and welcoming suggestions from all stakeholders to create effective solutions.

Overcoming Obstacles: Breaking Barriers for Women in Politics

Reflecting on the challenges that hinder women's active participation in politics, Minister Tebet highlighted the significance of recent changes in electoral laws. The introduction of quotas ensuring equal representation of women in political campaigns has substantially increased the number of women in Congress. However, she also emphasized the need to combat the issue of "laranjas" (orange candidates) by requiring parties to have at least 30% female representation in their executive positions. By empowering women in decision-making roles within political parties, Minister Tebet believes they will be more inclined to support capable female candidates and eliminate the use of fake candidates.

Conclusion: A Call for Lasting Change

As we bid farewell to Minister Tebet, we reflect on the work that still lies ahead. While progress has been made in narrowing the gender gap, achieving true equality requires a collective effort. It is through the implementation of sound policies, cultural shifts, and courageous voices that we can create lasting change. Today, we celebrate the women who have paved the way and continue to inspire future generations. Together, let us strive for a world where gender equality is not just a dream but a reality.