Any country that wants to grow with stability must promote respect for human rights, including the rights of women and those who belong to ethnic minority groups. Defending ethical values that respect diversity is not just a moral issue, which in itself should be a sufficient reason, it is also a matter of productivity and resilience. A 2020 McKinsey study, among others, concludes that more diverse teams and leadership are more likely to outperform competitors in profitability and create positive social impact, and that ignoring diversity penalizes results and organizational health.
Despite significant advances in recent decades, inequalities persist in several areas, reflecting an ongoing challenge to building a fair and equitable society. In 2021, the Global Gender Inequality Index revealed that, globally, it will take women 135.6 years to achieve full equality in terms of economic participation and opportunities. In the US, black women earn just 63 cents for every dollar earned by white men. In political leadership, around 27 countries were led by women at the beginning of 2024, and women occupied 23% of ministerial portfolios, concentrated mainly in social areas, far from economic and security areas.
The growing wave of hatred and intolerance spreading across the world exacerbates these inequalities. The rhetoric of discrimination and exclusion fuels social tensions and can lead to conflicts that disproportionately impact the lower classes. In crisis contexts such as the COVID-19 pandemic, women and ethnic minorities have been most affected, facing not only economic challenges but also an increase in domestic violence and a lack of access to essential services.
Above all, diversity is a value of democracy that must be preserved, taught and practiced. When we normalize exclusions or tolerate insults, we erode the existing social contract, conflicts will increase, distrust will also increase, and this leads to losses in the country’s productivity, that is, it leads to a decrease in GDP (which is the opposite of the arguments currently in vogue). Hate speech fuels intolerance, divides communities and, amplified by digital platforms, generates local conflicts. This lack of trust and increased polarization reduces investment and productivity, particularly affecting the poorest.
Companies also play a crucial role in promoting diversity. For those who lead companies, diversity and cultural respect are themes of risk management and value creation. Integrating diversity goals into sustainability practices means pay transparency, leadership representation goals, merit-based promotion and safe environments.
Parents and caregivers are also essential agents of civic education. The United Nations emphasizes that confronting hate speech requires education, dialogue and alternative narratives. Families and schools play an essential role here to prevent citizens from being vulnerable to manipulation and intolerance. Thus, educating parents about the importance of diversity and respect can shape the next generation, cultivating a culture of empathy and inclusion from childhood. Raising awareness of these issues, both at home and in the corporate environment, is vital to addressing today’s social challenges.
It is essential that governments and institutions commit to implementing policies that promote inclusion and respect for diversity. This includes creating educational programs that emphasize the importance of human rights and empathy from childhood. Promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogues can help build bridges between communities, fostering a culture of peace and respect.
Portugal needs a practical alliance between democracy, diversity and dignity. Protecting rights, promoting equality for women and minorities and actively combating hate is not an elite agenda: it is the most effective way to avoid conflicts that impoverish those who already have less and to build a more creative, fairer and more competitive economy. Diversity is a driver of productivity; respect for diversity is a democratic pillar. Preserving it, encouraging it and implementing it is a shared responsibility — in companies, in institutions and at home.
Respect for human rights and diversity is essential for the progress of society. We urgently need to reject the rhetoric of hate and discrimination and work together to ensure that all people, regardless of gender or ethnicity, have equal access to opportunities and rewards. Only in this way will we build a fairer, more democratic and more productive society.