DILI, 19 march 2024 (TATOLI) – The Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Carvalho, took part in the high-level meeting of the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, under the priority theme, “priority theme, “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.”
Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, combating poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective, taking place until the 22nd at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
In her speech, Elvina Carvalho emphasized the successes achieved by the country in fulfilling its national commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women.
Carvalho also spoke about Timor-Leste’s leadership in the Asian region and the world, both in terms of women’s political participation and in occupying leadership positions, and also highlighted the implementation of policies aimed at promoting gender equality in all sectors of society.
“Timor-Leste has been an inspiring example in promoting women’s rights and leadership, not only in the Asian region but also globally. Women occupy more than a third of the seats in the National Parliament and the country currently has the first woman President of the National Parliament. There are also women in ministerial positions, chairmanships of municipal authorities, heads of sucos and villages,” said Elvina Carvalho in a statement.
The Secretary of State for Equality also highlighted the implementation of important policies and initiatives, such as the National Action Plan for Gender-Based Violence (2022-2032) and the Maubisse Declaration, which aims to empower rural women through access to microcredit, local industries, tourism, agriculture, and fishing.
On the sidelines of the event, Elvina Carvalho also met with representatives from Singapore, Chile, and UN Women to discuss experiences and opportunities for collaboration, thus reaffirming Timor-Leste’s ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
It should be remembered that the 1st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place in 1947, just two years after the founding of the United Nations when a group of 15 women representing governments from around the world came together in New York to start building the international legal foundations for gender equality.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
