DILI, 16 july 2021 (TATOLI) – Girls Alliance Timor-Leste, today, realized a national seminar to commemorate its third anniversary with the title: ‘Let’s fight for a justice society to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against girls and increase participation of girls in all sectors.’
The seminar aims to empower the existence of Girls Alliance, including sharing information regarding the progress that had been made in the last three years.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the seminar, the coordinator of the Girls Alliance, Debora Abilia said many girls in Timor-Leste are still facing problems in society, including having no access to education, malnutrition, sexual abuse, and so on. “These problems are barriers and hinder girls from enjoying their human rights.
Abilia said to prevent and fight against those problems facing girls in Timor-Leste, Girls Alliance was established with the aim to combat all forms of discrimination and violence against girls.
She said all entities play a crucial role in fighting for a justice society to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against girls in Timor-Leste.
At the same place, Girls Alliance Officer Timor-Leste, Odelia da Luz Vargas informed that various programs had been implemented by Girls Alliance, since its establishment on july 16, to fight for gender equality: “These programs include national conference and seminar, dialogue with relevant entities, sports activities, public speaking competition, and so on.
“So far, one of the significant progress made by the Girls Alliance was participating in the Child Protection Law advocacy. Girls Alliance will continue working with other relevant entities to fight for gender equality,” Vargas told reporters at Novo Turismo hall, in Dili, today.
Vargas calls on parents to give equal treatment to sons and daughters in the family.
In addition, the Country Director of Plan International Timor-Leste (PITL), Dillyana Ximenes said PITL would keep supporting Girls Alliance and will continue assisting girls in Aileu, Ainaro, and Dili: “I believe that girls are committed to learn, lead, and decide.”
Over 50 percent of girls across the world experience online harassment, of which 42 percent lost confidence after experiencing the harassment, according to official data from Plan International.
Currently, Girls Alliance has more than 200 active members, made up of 125 women and 80 men.
Related news:Girls Alliance begins celebrating its third anniversary with mini futsal tournament
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
