DILI, 18 june 2021 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste, European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), civil society organizations, and partners of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative met today to review progress, approve the 2020 Annual Report, and seek inputs on programmatic adaptations needed to address the increased risk of violence against women and girls in the wake of recovery from COVID-19 pandemic and floods.
The Spotlight Initiative started in january 2020, and has substantially contributed to preventing and responding to violence against women and girls. Over 268.000 women and girls, or 21% of the total population, have benefitted from the program over the last year.
“I would like to convey my sincere appreciation to all the efforts you all have carried out. While all of us have face various challenges due to limited movement because of by COVID-19, sanitary health fence and the recent floods, however we have made significant progress as seen in the results presented earlier,” stated the Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion, Maria José da Fonseca Monteiro de Jesus during the virtual meeting today.
“We have welcomed positive feedback not only from the secretariat in New York but also from the regional level. This is a great recognition to all and I believe together with the UN and European Union, we will improve implementation performance in the coming period,” stated Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion, Maria José da Fonseca Monteiro de Jesus.”
As a result of community mobilization, advocacy, system strengthening, and improved awareness, Gender Based Violence (GBV) reporting and response has increased considerably.
“The Spotlight partners supported over 3,500 women and girls in municipalities of focus who reported physical/sexual violence and sought legal help. More than 1,319 cases of GBV were also reported to justice officials – almost twice the number of cases compared to the previous year in these municipalities. In addition, 60 women and girl survivors of violence and their families were supported by the Spotlight Initiative through knowledge, information, and capacity building,” said in a statement released on Friday.
The European Union Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Andrew Jacobs said: “I am proud of the work done by the Government, the UN Agencies and the Civil Society Organization during this first year of implementation of the Spotlight Initiative.”
“Despite the difficult Covid19 times, many women, girls, boys, men and minority groups of society have been reached with information, training and services. GBV has not been eliminated yet, but the path has been set and the European Union continues to be strongly committed to support gender equality and women’s empowerment. I know, it would be impossible to achieve this without the engagement and commitment of the Timor-Leste Government and Civil Society Organizations.” Jacobs said.
At the same time, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Roy Trivedy stated that women and girls in Timor-Leste are under greater risk of violence during COVID-19 pandemic and as a result of the floods, making them more vulnerable.
“The Government and key institutions have a responsibility to help ensure that people are safe, well supported and that the fundamental rights of all, especially women, girls and vulnerable groups, are effectively protected. The UN in Timor-Leste will continue working closely with the communities, the Government, and partners to address and eliminate all kinds of violence against women and girls,” said Trivedy.
In Timor-Leste, the Initiative is being implemented by five UN agencies (ILO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women) in collaboration with civil society and the Government partners. The program currently supports 22 civil society projects representing 33 partner organizations at the national level and three municipalities (Viqueque, Bobonaro, and Ermera).
In response to the floods and in support of COVID-19 recovery, the Spotlight team and partners also proposed diverting some program funds to ensure the safety of women and girls. The meeting explored redirecting over USD 500.000 from the Initiative’s budget to Gender and Protection measures under Government and humanitarian partners’ Joint Flood Response Plan.
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Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
