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UN Women Brazil appoints Edegar Pretto as National Changemaker of the HeForShe Alliance in Brazil
May 28, Brazil – At the UN House in Brasília, UN Women officially named João Edegar Pretto, President of the National Supply Company (Conab), as the first National HeForShe Changemaker of the HeForShe Alliance in Brazil.
In this new role, Pretto will be responsible for mobilizing companies and public institutions to strengthen and revive the Alliance's efforts across the country. His appointment was formalized with the signing of the Terms of Reference during a ceremony attended by the interim representative of UN Women in Brazil, Ana Carolina Querino; Minister of Women, Márcia Lopes; Janine Mello, representing Human Rights Minister Macaé Evaristo; and singer Thedy Corrêa of the band Nenhum de Nós.
Recognized for his 15-year public career focused on engaging men to stand against violence toward women and girls, Pretto is the first man to take on this role in Brazil. The event also marked the official relaunch of the HeForShe movement in the country, which for a decade has mobilized men and boys as allies in advancing gender equality and ending gender-based violence.
With a long-standing commitment to the cause dating back to his time as a deputy and president of the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul, Pretto now brings his experience and political leadership to both the national and international stage through this strategic position in UN Women's global efforts.
“Being appointed National Changemaker of the HeForShe Alliance is a milestone in my career and a reflection of many years of working alongside social movements. Years of listening, learning from women, and working to raise awareness among men and confront the violence they suffer. This new stage is a call to action. I want to mobilize companies, citizens and, especially, public figures willing to listen, reflect and act responsibly to confront the epidemic of violence against women and girls,” Pretto highlighted.
Following his appointment, Pretto will lead national efforts to promote transformative masculinities and engage men, boys, public figures, companies, and institutions as active advocates for gender equality.
Want to know more about the Alliance and its work in Brazil? Follow: @heforshebrasil on Instagram.