DILI, 28 october, (TATOLI)- Plan International has completed the project of eliminating the violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Aileu coverage areas.
The Country Director of Plan International in Timor-Leste, Diliana Ximenes said this workshop aims to update the final project of “Hatete Lae ba Violence Hasoru Feto” that has been implemented in Aileu Municipality.
“Violence against women means violence against human Being and the violence that damage women mentally and psychically and even contribute to the unsuccessful family,” The Country Director Diliana Ximenes said to reporters in Deta Nova, Dili, on 28 october this Thursday.
She Said that the Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is still one of the most prevalent violations of human rights worldwide in general and in Timor-Leste in particular.
Violence against women and girls and particularly intimate partner violence in Timor-Leste remains widespread, with 38% to 59% of women between the ages of 15 to 19 experiencing violence in their lifetime. In Timor-Leste, at least one in three women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime. Justification of violence remains high, with 74 percent of women and 53 percent of men aged 15-49 agreeing with at least one justification for wife-beating.
In 2013, A Baseline study on masculinities in Timor-Leste found that “in general, the acceptance of or tolerance for GBV increases with age”.
“To eliminate violence against women and girls, what is needed are effective violence prevention strategies to address the root causes and drivers of violence,” said Ximenes.
The Representative of State Secretary of Equality and Inclusion (SSEI), Maria Filomena Babo Martin recognizes the number of violence again women and girls are increasing especially in DILI and Ermera municipalities:” Plan International is one of a non-government organization is standing on the commitment to contribute for reducing the number of VAWG in Timor-Leste, especially in Aileu sub-district,”
Ms Martins proud of the achievement of this program implementation which is responsible by Plan International with the cooperation with MVF and AFelda local non-government organization.
According to the data report from 2010 the number of 81% of women admitted to having punishment from men for any reason, however through the hard efforts of Minister Social and Inclusion on sharing the good advice to the man and resulted in 2021 the number is reduced to 53%.
The Representative of European Union Ambassador, Karla da Silva Leitzke said European Union is focusing on combating gender-based violence globally and especially in Timor-Leste.
She reaffirms that the EU also has a big responsibility to solve the VAWG issue in Timor- Leste. Therefore EU has offered the funded amount of more than 5.000 USD to Plan International in cooperation with other partners MVF and AFELA to implement the program,” hate Lae ba Violencia hasoru Feto.
Based on the achievement results from the project indicated that 4,500 women and adolescent girls from 15 to 40 years old (30% of them are from 15 to 19 years old) have participated and acquired the advice from the program.
Also, 2000 men and young men from 15 to 40 years old (30% of them are from 15 to 19 years old) in 12 selected villages of Aileu Municipality were also involved in this program.
Duty bearers: 400 community leaders and officials such as chefesuku, health workers, VPU, community police officers in the area. 20 national level duty-bearers such as police, VPU, SEM Gender Focal Point, MSS Focal Point, justice officials, shelter centers’ staff, and health workers (50% men and 50% women), also joined the program.
While the total of Indirect beneficiaries is 537,000 composed of women and girls in Timor-Leste.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
