SANTO DOMINGO - The Ministry of Women and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), coordinating bodies of the Igualando RD Seal, awarded Banco BHD its third consecutive Platinum level certification in the Dominican Republic for its good practices of equality and gender equity in the workplace.
The Equalizing Seal certification recognizes companies and organizations that develop a quality model promoting the elimination of gender inequalities in the workplace. The Latin American Gender Equality Seal Community comprises the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Equalizing Seal certifications are awarded at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels, according to the highest degree of compliance with the standards established by each country for granting the seal.
Martha Peralta, Senior Vice President of Talent Management at Banco BHD, upon receiving the award on behalf of the bank, stated that "we are pleased to receive this distinction after successfully completing another cycle of audits, recognizing our ongoing commitment to eliminating gender gaps and fostering an inclusive work environment where women and men have access to equal opportunities for development.".
Martha Peralta, Senior Vice President of Talent Management at the Bank, receiving the award. (EXTERNAL SOURCE).
Banco BHD first applied for the Seal in 2015. After obtaining its initial certification in late 2017, BHD became the first company in the Dominican Republic to accredit its gender equality and equity practices, achieving the first Gold level certification, which it maintained in 2018 after renewal. In 2019, the bank retained its Gold certification, and in 2020, it achieved a perfect score, earning the highest level, the Igualando RD Platinum Seal, which it has held for four consecutive years. In 2020, Banco BHD's Platinum certification was the first in the country.
The dimensions of the certification with the Igualando RD Seal respond to criteria of equality and gender equity regarding the internal management and organization of companies, the conciliation and co-responsibility they promote between the family, personal and work life of their human resources; the recruitment and selection of personnel, professional development, remuneration and compensation programs, the work environment, health and quality of life; the fight against moral and sexual harassment in the workplace and communication.
A strategy made for women
Eliminating gender gaps and fostering an inclusive work environment is part of Banco BHD's Women's Gender Strategy, a pioneering initiative in the Dominican market that supports and recognizes women in their different roles and main social challenges. This includes ensuring gender equality within the institution itself, providing differentiated value propositions to female clients, and contributing to the empowerment of women who are changing the Dominican world, with the purpose of supporting them in achieving their goals and dreams.
Peralta added that "from the internal component of Culture of Equality and Gender Equity of our strategy, which in 2024 celebrates nine years of implementation, we reaffirm with this certification our conviction that women, and especially our female collaborators, are agents of positive change responsible for the transformation of the future through their daily effort and dedication to improve the world.".
