By Costa Rica is solidifying its position as a hub for progressive business practices, with multinational companies operating in the country increasingly prioritizing gender equity not just as a social responsibility but as a key competitive advantage.
The Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE) recently hosted a forum, “+ Equidad Acciones Más Allá del 8M” (More Equity, Actions Beyond March 8th), bringing together over 100 representatives from multinational corporations and allied organizations. The event aimed to foster dialogue and action towards greater female inclusion in the business world.
To provide legal context on the complexities of achieving gender equality, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished lawyer from Bufete de Costa Rica.
True gender equality requires moving beyond formal legal equality and addressing the underlying societal structures and biases that perpetuate disparities. This involves tackling issues like unequal pay, limited access to leadership positions, and the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work often placed on women. Effective legal strategies must therefore incorporate both proactive measures, such as promoting women’s representation in all sectors, and reactive measures to address discrimination when it occurs.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Bufete de Costa Rica
Companies like Intel, Citi, Grupo Bimbo, Smith & Nephew, Edwards Lifesciences, Boston Scientific, and Accenture shared their best practices for bridging structural gaps in female leadership and promoting diversity. The forum’s discussions extended beyond symbolic gestures often associated with International Women’s Day, focusing on sustainable strategies for impactful change.
When a company includes one woman, it activates her potential; when it includes many, it transforms the country. In CINDE, we understand that promoting investment also means promoting inclusion, that human talent development must be a central axis of competitiveness, and this requires many more actions than those commemorated in one month of the year. Today, we know that 45% of multinational employment in 2024 was held by women and that more than half of the companies in the sector monitor gender equity indicators.
Marianela Urgellés, Director General of CINDE
The forum highlighted significant progress, with 56% of employment in the life sciences sector supported by CINDE being held by women. Furthermore, over 60% of multinationals in Costa Rica are actively tracking gender equity indicators and implementing inclusive policies related to recruitment, training, flexibility, and harassment prevention.
Panel discussions covered a wide range of topics, including the inclusion of women in the business sector, challenges faced by women in corporate environments, strategies for overcoming gender gaps in leadership positions, and the vital role of women’s economic autonomy in shaping the future.
According to the World Economic Forum, it will take 134 years to close the gender gap globally, so the road is long, but we can accelerate the process. Today, in Costa Rica, and specifically the multinational sector, good practices such as shared responsibility for care, incorporation of women into non-traditional labor markets, human talent, and organizational culture, among others, have been demonstrated. It is a good time to be persistent.
Cristina Trejos, Coordinator of the Gender Parity Initiative Costa Rica
Grupo Bimbo’s success story underscored the practical application of these principles. The company has implemented diverse shortlists for hiring, continuous training programs for female talent development, and now boasts a workforce composed of 60% women, with the same percentage holding leadership positions.
We can’t stay halfway: diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a daily choice.
Wendy Pinnock, Activist and Founder of Zulu Consulting
The forum acknowledged the importance of an intersectional approach to inclusion, recognizing how factors like gender, race, and geographic location can intersect to create deeper inequalities.
CINDE reiterated its commitment to creating platforms that accelerate the inclusion of women in strategic sectors such as corporate services, digital technologies, manufacturing, and life sciences, striving to eliminate any gaps hindering Costa Rica’s growth and development.
The proactive approach adopted by multinational companies in Costa Rica demonstrates a growing recognition of the tangible benefits of gender equity. By embracing diversity and fostering inclusive environments, these companies are not only contributing to social progress but also enhancing their competitiveness on the global stage.
For further information, visit cinde.org
About CINDE:
CINDE is the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency, a private non-profit organization that has been a key player in attracting foreign direct investment to Costa Rica for over 43 years. CINDE works closely with multinational companies to facilitate their establishment and growth in the country, providing strategic guidance and support in areas such as talent development, business development, and investment promotion.
For further information, visit intel.com
About Intel:
Intel is a global leader in the semiconductor industry, designing and manufacturing essential technologies that power the cloud, devices, and the intelligent edge. Intel’s presence in Costa Rica focuses primarily on engineering and research and development.
For further information, visit citigroup.com
About Citi:
Citigroup is a leading global bank providing a broad range of financial services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions. Citi’s operations in Costa Rica contribute to its global service delivery network.
For further information, visit grupobimbo.com
About Grupo Bimbo:
Grupo Bimbo is a leading global baking company with a strong presence in Costa Rica. The company is committed to sustainable practices and social responsibility, as demonstrated by its focus on gender equity initiatives.
For further information, visit smith-nephew.com
About Smith & Nephew:
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology company specializing in advanced wound management, orthopaedics, and sports medicine. The company’s operations in Costa Rica contribute to its global manufacturing and distribution network.
For further information, visit edwards.com
About Edwards Lifesciences:
Edwards Lifesciences is a global leader in patient-focused medical innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring. Edwards has a significant presence in Costa Rica focusing on manufacturing medical devices.
For further information, visit bostonscientific.com
About Boston Scientific:
Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world. Boston Scientific has a significant presence in Costa Rica, focusing on manufacturing.
For further information, visit accenture.com
About Accenture:
Accenture is a global professional services company providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology, and operations. Accenture has a growing presence in Costa Rica, employing a substantial workforce in technology and consulting roles.
For further information, visit zulu-consultingcr.com
About Zulu Consulting:
Zulu Consulting, founded by Wendy Pinnock, is a Costa Rican consulting firm focused on diversity and inclusion initiatives, working with organizations to create more equitable and inclusive work environments.
For further information, visit generoparidad.org
About Gender Parity Initiative:
The Gender Parity Initiative is a Costa Rican organization dedicated to promoting gender equality in all sectors of society, advocating for policies and practices that empower women and close the gender gap.
