DILI, 6 october 2021 (TATOLI) – The First Lady, as the current ambassador of Plan International in Timor-Leste, Cidalia Lopez Nobre Mouzinho Guterres encouraged Timorese girls to be the agents of positive change.
“I encourage all girls in Timor-Leste to be the agents of positive change. You need to look after yourselves and never quit chasing your dreams to make a positive change in your community,” Guterres made the comments in her speech, at the João Paulo Hall, in Dili, on monday.
She said with science and technology, women and girls could make a significant contribution to society, adding, therefore, they need to improve themselves through formal and non-formal education.
Guterres called on women and girls to use social media ‘facebook’ wisely to prevent themselves from sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and sexual exploitation.
“Parents play a crucial role in protecting their children. They need to take the necessary decisions to protect their kids from using social media inappropriately,” Guterres stressed.
At the same place, Claudia Ximenes, the Representative of the School Girls from Basic Education School in Aileu municipality, urged the government to protect girls from all forms of discrimination and violence.
“Government and relevant entities have to take serious action to protect the girls from gender stereotypes. The negative comments on girls’ photos and videos on social media have negative impacts, and that could cause a change in girls’ behavior,” said Ximenes.
In addition, the Commissioner for the Rights of the Child, Dinora Granadeiro said training for women and girls in using social media appropriately is important to protect many women and girls from all forms of discrimination and violence.
Elvina de Sousa, the representative of the Women’s Parliamentary Group of East Timor (GMPTL) said Government plays a crucial role to protect women and girls from all forms of discrimination and violence.
Journalist: Arminda Fonseca
Editor: Agapito dos Santos
Translation: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Fernandes
