The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stated today in Ponta Delgada that gender equality in social and solidarity economy "has deserved the special attention" of the Government, which is "embodied in various measures taken over the past years."
 
Andreia Cardoso spoke at the opening of the "Days on Gender Equality in Social and Solidarity Economy." The government official highlighted the creation of the Regional Commission for Labour and Employment Equality in the Azores in 2011. This body holds "powers in the areas of equality of opportunities and non-discrimination by gender, protection and promotion of maternity and paternity values, and the reconciliation of the professional, personal and family lives of men and women. "
  
In her speech, she also emphasised the Equo project - Gender Equality in Social and Solidarity Economy, which has been supported by the Azorean Government since its inception in 2014.
 
The support provided in partnership with ACEESA Association – Centre for Atlantic Solidarity Economy Studies has contributed to the promotion and dissemination of various projects. It is primarily aimed at the development of best practices for gender equality in schools, companies and community in general.
 
 The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity also addressed the role of women in society, stressing that "women must open the kitchen door."
 
"While women continue to believe they are responsible for a whole range of tasks, such as the responsibility for child brining and household work, and do not allow men participating to take part in these tasks, they are primarily responsible for maintaining this situation," said Andreia Cardoso.
 
In this context, the government official considered "that women are often the harshest critics of other women when they take on leadership roles, such as political roles are more active roles in the community. Sometimes, they tend to condemn themselves and self-promote the inequality that still exists."
 
Therefore, Andreia Cardoso defended that there is still a long way to go. According to her, "women have a key role to play" in order to change the current situation and their own mentalities in all sectors of society, including the public and private spheres.
 
With regard to this issue, we intend to "follow a steady path since this is not a race. Therefore, the coordination between all parties involved so that gender equality may increasingly become a reality in today's society.