Accor supports Empowering Refugee Women project and boosts training opportunities in Brazil

Reinforcing its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Accor, a global leader in hospitality, announced its support for the Empowering Refugee Women project, an initiative led by the UNHCR, UN Women, and the UN Global Compact in Brazil. The partnership marks another step in strengthening initiatives focused on inclusion and the creation of opportunities for refugee women. The group becomes the main supporter of the current edition of the program, committing over two years to enable the professional training of 300 refugee women by 2027.

The launch event for the 11th edition of Empowering Refugee Women, which presented the program’s results and future goals, was held at Accor’s headquarters in São Paulo, bringing together institutional partners and representatives of the participating organizations.

Created to address gender barriers and expand access to the labor market, the program offers professional training and career guidance, facilitating the integration of refugee women into formal employment in Brazil. Since its creation, it has trained more than 900 people and contributed to the employability of 350 women, many from Venezuela, Haiti, Angola, and other countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

“Of the 120 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, more than half are women and girls. They face higher risks of exploitation, trafficking, and violence, as well as greater barriers in asylum systems and intersecting discrimination that limits access to rights, justice, security, and services. For all these reasons, projects like Empowering Refugee Women remain essential to reduce these inequalities. Launching the 11th edition is also highly significant from a private sector perspective, which continues to trust in the capacity and talent of these professionals, who bring knowledge and innovation to the Brazilian labor market,” said Maria Beatriz Nogueira.

This partnership adds to Accor’s broader initiatives to promote diversity, inclusion, and opportunities for refugees, especially in a context where women face additional barriers to entering the workforce. This institutional commitment began in 2019, when the company joined the Tent Partnership for Refugees. Accor is also part of the Companies for Refugees Forum and has since expanded its efforts through partnerships and initiatives focused on training and hiring displaced people.

“We believe diversity strengthens organizations and society as a whole. Supporting initiatives like Empowering Refugee Women is a concrete way to expand opportunities and contribute to the autonomy and inclusion of people in refugee situations in the labor market. We know that professional training is key for these individuals to rebuild their lives, and the private sector plays a fundamental role in this process. At Accor, we are committed to actively contributing to this transformation and building an increasingly diverse and inclusive environment, both within and beyond our hotels,” said Laís Fernanda Souza, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager at Accor.

“Empowering Refugee Women” exhibition celebrates Women’s Month

As part of the initiatives supporting the project and in line with Women’s Month, Accor’s São Paulo headquarters is also hosting a photographic exhibition celebrating the 10th anniversary of the program. The exhibition features 30 images portraying the stories of women who have participated in the initiative, highlighting journeys of resilience, empowerment, and rebuilding their lives in Brazil. In addition to the corporate headquarters, the exhibition will also be displayed at the Mercure São Paulo Pinheiros starting in April.

Source: Accor