Women Leaders: For an Egalitarian Future in the World of Covid-19

Dear Friends,

It is a pleasure to join in the celebration of International Women's Day, declared by the United Nations in 1975, which this year under the theme "Women Leaders: For an Egalitarian Future in the World of Covid-19”, has helped us to reflect on what we have experienced over the last year, and one of my first conclusions is the important role we have played as people, and especially all women, because of the many responsibilities we have had to take on during the pandemic and the major role we will undoubtedly play in the economic and social reconstruction we are facing.

We have experienced very difficult moments, situations that we could never have imagined, we have felt fear, apprehension, uncertainty, we have cried and laughed at the same time, but above all we have faced this situation with humanity, responsibility and courage; with our eyes fixed on the horizon and with enough energy to accept this situation with all the humility that characterises us, and to take advantage of the opportunity to move forward; at work, with our family, with our friends and with the most vulnerable groups in this pandemic.

It has been extraordinary to see how quickly people around the world have stepped up to contribute and take responsibility. Even in such grim times, people have generated hope, the hope that we can overcome this situation if we act and stand together.

The change we need at the personal, business, social, organisational and professional team levels is not achieved through big headlines, legal victories or international agreements: the way we walk, think and act every day can generate a ripple effect that benefits everyone, especially women.

As a company, we are aware that sustainable transformation is one of the levers for the economic, environmental and social recovery in which we are immersed. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are our guide - they will help us to end poverty, reduce inequality and fight climate change.

Values and purpose must take precedence over everything else and we need to work within organisations for equality and diversity, for health and work-life balance. We can do it, but we need to respect each other, to take each other into account, to listen to each other and to work together in education, in training in order to achieve an equal, diverse and inclusive society. Reject all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide and strengthen health care and education services that respond to their needs.

Today, I wish to express my enormous gratitude to everyone, but especially to the women for their great work and for the role they will play in the recovery and reconstruction of society. But, above all, I would like to give special thanks to my mother and my sisters, and the women who are part of the Piñero family, 50.3% in Spain and 35.3% in the Caribbean countries.

I am immensely proud of the Grupo Piñero team, for all the support given, for the collaboration, for the respect, for the continuous improvement, for the passion... but above all for the exemplarity, one of the values that will continue to guide us in the evolution of the company to positively impact/contribute to society and mainly to the most vulnerable groups, one of the objectives integrated in our business strategy.

We want to honor women today with this video.

Encarna Piñero
​CEO GRUPO PIÑERO.