DILI, 15 november 2021 (TATOLI) – The Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion (SoSEI), together with the Civil Society discussed and gathered important thoughts for reviewing and drafting the 2021-2026 National Action Plan (NAP) to address the issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Timor-Leste.
Several local and international NGOs were present at the meeting – Pradet, Fokupers, ALFeLa Timor-Leste, Codiva Foundation, Patria, Casa Vida, Men With New Vision, Arquiris, Plan International Timor-Leste, Care International Timor-Leste, NGO Belun, Catholic Relief Service (CRC), UN Women (Spotlight), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), The Asia Foundation (TAF), Nabilan, JSMP, PDHJ, Rede Feto, Fokupers, Maries Stopes, Alola Foundation, Hamnasa NGO, GIZ, and CBRN-TL.
Speaking at the meeting, the National Director for National Policy on Gender Equality and Inclusion, Maria Filomena Babo Martins said the meeting aimed to gather relevant and important thoughts to be included in SoSEI’s National Action Plan for five year period (2021-2026) to combat GBV in the country.
“Together, we will identify important points to be included in the National Action Plan to end Gender-Based Violence. It is clear that through this discussion, we will find out some important steps that had been implemented so far by NGOs in combating the GBV. These NGOs will also provide recommendations which will be included in the SoSEI’s National Action Plan,” Martins told Reporter at Delta Nova’s Hall in Dili, today.
She said Timor-Leste needs to review its National Action Plan on GBV, adding, therefore, SOSEI is currently having consultations with all relevant entities (Government members, Civil Societies, and so on) to gather important thoughts on combating the GBV.
She said according to SoSEI’s 2020 report, more than 1.319 women had been experienced Gender-Based Violence within the year 2020.
At the same place, Marilia Alves, a Consultant for the National Action Plan for GBV informed that according to a survey, conducted by Nabilan NGO revealed that about 59 percent of women in Timor-Leste experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) at least once in their lifetime.
The consequences and effects of the GBV in Timor-Leste included trauma, physical damage, and deficiency, lack of participation in public and political life, more financial support is needed to address the issue, and causing reduction in human resources.
Alves said so far, harmful gender norms and gender stereotypes are often used to justify violence against women, adding: “These are the main causes of the Gender-Based Violence in the country which are needed to be addressed.”
She said SOSEI’s new NAP needed to involve important activities such as community movement, training on women and girls empowerment, women economic empowerment, and gender equality training.
“The new NAP is needed to be focused on prevention, and a sustainable strategy solution,” Alves added.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
