Headlines of the Customs of Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Panama and Peru discussed female inclusion policies in a panel; among the challenges cited is the generation of a network to promote reforms in institutions that have historically been linked to the exercise of control over external traffic and the power to tax goods crossing borders.
Gender equality and diversity are issues that stand out for their relevance on the current public agenda. Ensuring the establishment of the most favorable conditions in people's work raises the need to hold debates for the modernization of organizations in this regard.
This was discussed on Thursday (30.03.2023) at the virtual event "“Female inclusion policies in Customs”, organized by the National Customs Service of Chile. The meeting included a panel focused on the diagnosis and challenges in this regard.
"In Panama Customs More than 50 percent of the employees are women at the management level and in various departments; this situation is due to the commitment, professionalism and greater responsibility of women, which also includes the family (…) We are multifaceted,” reflected Tayra Barsallo, Director of the National Customs Administration of Panama, at the beginning of the day.
Carola Ríos, head of the National Service of Ecuadorian Customs, shared this holistic view. “The capacity that we women have is not debatable,” she said. And she pointed out that the presence of men and women is balanced in administrative control, while women are 60% more in subsequent control.
"I want to highlight that empowered women empower other women," said Martha Garamendi, Deputy National Superintendent of Peruvian Customs and Vice President of the WCO for the Americas and the Caribbean. She highlighted the evolution of the female presence in senior management positions both in the administrative area (from 26% to 55%) and in operational processes (from 20% to 50%) when comparing the years 2019 and 2023. She also shared the nine measures implemented by the Peruvian Administration to advance gender equality.
Karina Serrudo was also among the participants., Executive President of Bolivian National Customs, who highlighted the “shared work” of women and men in his Administration.
At another point in the panel, the following were discussed: challenges to address gender equality. Alejandra Arriaza, the first woman in history to occupy the National Directorate of Chilean Customs, She referred to positive action aimed at promoting women's access to the rights guaranteed to men.
“It is a historic moment,” she said, noting that the panel was organized in March – Women’s Month – to discuss equality in a visible way. It is about removing barriers and leaving a door open to breaking the socially burdened Latin American culture, she said.
In this regard, Arriaza proposed that the members of the customs community strengthen their joint approach.
“Networking is much better,” he concluded.
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