Chile at the Forefront of Advancing Gender Equality in Public Administration: Three New Institutions Certified With the Gold Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions

In a significant milestone on advancing gender equality in the public sector, three Chilean institutions – the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (MJDDHH) – were awarded the Gold medal of the UNDP Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions in June 2025.  

This formal recognition underscores the Chilean government’s leadership in making public institutions and policies better respond to gender inequality issues in the country, both nationally and locally. As more institutions look to become more inclusive and equitable, the Agricultural and Livestock Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights stand out as compelling models of what institutional commitment to gender equality can look like in practice. 

The organizational change that has taken place is real. We know that a transformative change in consciousness takes a long time, but we have seen it happen.

Employee at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights about the Seal process

Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG): Boosting Economic Empowerment of Women Farmers  

The Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), Chile’s cornerstone agency for food safety, animal and plant health, and agricultural exports, has emerged as a leader in embedding gender equality within its institutional fabric – a commitment that earned it the Gold Gender Seal.  

One of SAG’s most impactful initiatives has been the SAG Women Leaders Network, a rapidly growing platform that helps women leaders thrive and inspire change within the organization, as well as their communities. Since its creation in 2021, the Network has experienced steady growth, currently comprising 112 women officials nationwide, spanning executive, professional, technical, and administrative roles. The success of this initiative is expected to expand beyond SAG through strategic partnerships with the Agricultural Development Institute (INDAP) and the Foundation for Agricultural Innovation (FIA), facilitating knowledge transfer and potential replication in other contexts. This experience stands out as a promising practice to strengthen women’s leadership in agriculture and reduce gender gaps – particularly in traditionally male-dominated fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

Incorporating gender into projects has also allowed us to ensure that quality standards and regulations are in place in production companies so that, with our support, they can raise the level and quality of their products. It also means that we are a country that complies with the SDGs and national policy.

A member of the Citrus and Beekeeping Program Teams

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Advancing Feminist Foreign Policy 

Another Gold awarded institution, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stands out for the launching of the Chilean Feminist Foreign Policy in 2023, and the alignment of its operations to the Policy commitments. This institutional coherence is not only symbolic; it reflects a structured effort to integrate a gender perspective across diplomatic, consular, and administrative activities. 

With the institutionalization of its Gender Affairs Division, a gender perspective is now embedded in strategic planning, leadership, and communications. From 2020 to 2025, the number of women holding ambassador roles has increased from 12 to 24, representing 26% of all ambassadors, and to 41% of leadership positions for the same period. The Ministry’s feminist foreign policy is gaining global traction – Chile has led international resolutions on care systems and digital violence, and included gender equality chapters in trade deals, earning the WTO Gender Equality in Trade Award. On the consular front, the “Consulate with You” program has transformed support for Chilean women abroad, especially survivors of gender-based violence, through trained staff, digital tools, and full case coverage. 

The Seal has been a tremendous boost for raising awareness at the Ministry about gender issues, for starting to speak a common language, training together, learning, and working in a coordinated manner. I feel that it has been very useful for giving the issue the importance it deserves.

Paula Echavarría, Ministerial Advisor on Gender Equality 

Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (MJDDHH): Gender equal access to justice 

The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (MJDDHH) joined the Gold Seal family in Chile, doing so with exemplary leadership and a rights-based approach to public service. During the development of the Seal, the Ministry institutionalized its Gender Agenda 2025–2030, a strategic instrument that integrates and organizes 175 concrete commitments supported by detailed indicators and timelines. 

Its achievements span a broad spectrum: most institutional databases now include gender-disaggregated data, gender equality criteria have been institutionalized in public procurement, and gender parity has been reached in senior roles. New protocols address workplace sexual harassment, and programming has become evidence-based and gender-responsive. Notable efforts include improving conditions for incarcerated women through local intersectoral work and data use, and applying a gender analysis to nationwide programs like ‘Mi Abogado’, strengthening children’s and adolescents’ rights. To address economic violence systemically, the Ministry contributed to establishing the National Registry of Child Support Debtors, which has benefitted over 53,000 women. It also promotes equal rights for LGTBIQ+ individuals and has reinforced accountability and civic engagement by deepening dialogue with feminist and human rights organizations through the COSOC civil society participation mechanism. 

The Equality Seal has enabled us to strengthen and expand our professional technical capacities in gender mainstreaming, which has greatly helped us to upgrade our teams’ technical skills. But it has also allowed us to improve other capacities and skills that are essential for bringing about change in the organizational culture, such as negotiation skills, conflict mediation, and above all team management and teamwork.

Employee at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights

Empowering Institutions, Advancing Equality: UNDP Chile’s Strategic Support 

Behind the success of Chile’s Gold Seal institutions stands the strategic support of UNDP Chile, which played a pivotal role in helping public entities turn commitment into measurable impact. Through the Gender Equality Seal, UNDP guided institutions like the Agricultural and Livestock Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights in identifying gender-related results, developing evidence-based reporting, and building partnerships with academic and civil society allies. This hands-on assistance not only strengthened internal capacities for gender mainstreaming but also fostered a culture of reflection, accountability, and continuous improvement – laying the groundwork for lasting, transformative change.