ADVOCACY PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES 2006 – 2007

Dili-Timor Leste/Rede Feto 2008

Involvement in KOMEG (Koligasaun Monitorisaun Eleisaun Geral/Coalition for the Monitoring of General Elections)

Rede Feto through its member Caucus: Feto Iha Politica represents Rede Feto as member of the Board of KOMEG, a coalition of NGOs and other organizations to monitor the presidential and parliamentarian elections. As a member of the Board, Caucus: Feto Iha Politica participates in its role and function ensuring the Executive Body of KOMEG in performing its work in support to the elections effectively and efficiently. Caucus also provided training on how to use the election check list and observe the processes involved in the two elections.

The results of the monitoring activities carried out by KOMEG was published and distributed to all stakeholders. The National Commission for Election (CNE) and KOMEG recommended some gaps during the April 2007 presidential election that needed improvement for the legislative election in June 2007. The key recommendations included: for the status of the Technical Secretariat for Administration of Election (STAE) to be independent, government officials should not use public properties for election campaign and for civic education to be endorsed as part of the curriculum to ensure in-depth understanding of the electoral processes.

Public debate during the presidential election

Rede Feto, OPE, UNFPA and UNIFEM organized a coordinated public debate during the presidential election on the topics such as; international relations, the security sector reform, gender-based violence (GBV) and women’s participation in the political arena first week of April 2007. The debate was directly broadcasted on television through TVTL and over the radio. The eight presidential candidates were present at the debate and were able to share their opinions on the questions raised in relation to the abovementioned topics. The public debate was moderated by the Director of Dili Institute of Technology (DIT), Joao Cancio Freitas, PhD. During the debate, the eight candidates shared their plans on how to promote women’s rights if one of them will be elected as president of RDTL. Currently, the elected president, H.E. Jose Ramos-Horta has put forward his plan to encourage women’s participation in decision making. Rede Feto continues to monitor and plans to hold a regular dialogue with the current president to ensure that the president fulfills his commitment to support women.

Public debate among political parties

Rede Feto, the Office of the Ombudsman and the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL) conducted a public debate on political parties on the issues of good governance, human rights and security. Fokupers, one of the members of Rede Feto represented the network and was involved in the panel debate. The debate was directly broadcasted on television (TVTL) and over the radio. During the debate, Fokupers presented a number of cases where most women are victims of human rights violation and issues related on how political parties integrate women into their programmes and find solutions or describe the interventions on how they will implement them if ever they win in the next parliamentary election on 30 June 2007.

Public debate with women’s candidates from political parties

Rede Feto, the National University, UNFPA and UNIFEM conducted a public debate with women’s candidates from 14 registered political parties to discuss women’s issues such as: approval of the Domestic Violence Law, elimination of the patriarchal system and polygamy issues, increasing women’s leadership and participation in the political arena. Highlighted with the women from political parties during was the finalization and approval of the Women’s Platform of Action that contained seven areas of concerns including women in education, economy, health, politics, justice and security, culture and media. The debate was directly broadcasted through radio Timor-Leste and the issues in the platform were continuously raised during the campaign for the 2007 legislative election.

Rede Feto representation at the National Electoral Commission (CNE)

Two members of Rede Feto namely: Fokupers and Caucus: Feto Iha Politica represented Rede Feto at the National Electoral Commission (CNE). The mandate of CNE stands for six years to monitor and supervise the process of the presidential and legislative elections and to prepare for the 2009 village or suco and municipal elections following the approval of the Decentralization Law. From the two members, one is a permanent member whilst the other is as supplementary member. Integral part of their responsibility is to ensure that the gender perspective is integrated in all processes of the elections. For example, the electoral law states that, “one out of every four candidates that are nominated must be female”. The CNE members were able to ensure that all the lists of candidates submitted by the political parties nominated one female candidate for every list of 4 candidates. With political parties that did not follow the law, the CNE returned the list back to the concerned political parties for their review to enable them to be guided by the law as approved. CNE had the authority to approve or not approve the lists submitted.

Provided recommendations to the National Parliament on the Amnesty and Pardon Law

In January, the National Parliament invited Rede Feto to provide its comments and recommendations on the draft Law of Amnesty and Pardon that was prepared by the National Parliament. Rede Feto organized several discussions with its members and provided the appropriate and important comments and views that have to be considered. In addition to the comments submitted to Commission A of the National Parliament, Rede Feto also submitted a written report to ensure that they are considered in the final version of the law.

The focus of the comments to the draft law was on the negative impact of certain provisions in the law towards women and children who become victims and survivors of gender-based violence. After obtaining all comments from civil society organizations and religious groups, the National Parliament decided to pass the law but unfortunately in the end, did not as well consider all the inputs that were earlier submitted. It was realized that this law was drafted by the majority members of the ruling party in the National Parliament and its initial intention was to protect the “author” of the crisis in 2006 which involved one of the former minister of the previous government. The law has now been submitted to the Office of the President for promulgation after it was forwarded to the law to Court of Appeal for review.

One-day Conference on Media and Women

Rede Feto, UNMIT and UNIFEM organized a one-day conference on Media and Women on June 9, held a the conference hall of the Salesian Congregation at Comoro, Dili, The 100 participants during the conference were composed of representatives from women’s organization, journalists and the 14 political parties, members of the National Electoral Commission (CNE). The conference ended with a set of recommendations for the media to intensively write and broadcast women’s issues so that the population will be aware of women issues and promote women’s rights in their daily lives.

Television debate on the processes of the presidential and legislative elections

Rede Feto was invited to participate in an interactive programme on television focused on the processes involved in carrying out the presidential and legislative elections that were held in April and June 2007, respectively. The programme was held in collaboration with CNE and TVTL and was broadcasted on television (TVTL) everyday during the political campaign period. The President of the Board of Rede Feto and the Director of Caucus: Feto Iha Politica represented Rede Feto in the talk show in two occasions or schedules. They were invited to talk about how the gender perspectives are mainstreamed in the processes of the presidential and legislative elections.

Commemoration of International Women’s Day

The celebration of the International Women’s Day was conducted by Rede Feto for two days. With a national theme, “Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women”, the celebration commenced on March 7 to 8, 2007 with several activities which were participated in by its member organizations. The overall activity coordinator was GFFTL, an NGO member of Rede Feto. The objectives of this programme were to raise awareness of the civil society on the effects of impunity on people especially women and to promote peace and harmony in Timor-Leste. More.................

Media campaign on election

Rede Feto conducted a number of media campaign activities prior to the 2007 presidential and legislative elections. A press release was prepared focused on the importance of women’s voters in the two elections in order to change women’s position in life considering that number of women is half of the population of Timor-Leste. The objectives of these activities were to encourage women to vote to achieve change and ensure that their votes are based on their rational choice. The message was not only broadcasted through Radio and television but also through post card which was distributed to all population in Timor-Leste. These activities were carried out in collaboration with Alola Foundation, a member-NGO of Rede Feto. The substantive media support particularly the messages on activities conducted had resulted women voters turn out of almost 50 percent.

Rede Feto invited by President of RDTL to review the electoral law

Rede Feto was invited by the Office of the President to comment on the recent changes on some of the provisions of the electoral law. The National Parliament reviewed and approved some articles related to the location of the counting of votes in districts. Rede Feto also presented its comments on the advantages and disadvantages of changes made on the provisions or articles of the law. After consultation with all the stakeholders, the newly-elected President, H.E. Jose Ramos-Horta finally promulgated the revised electoral law. It is significant to note however, that the civil society organizations were against the changes on the location in the electoral law because it was considered against the principles of transparency and rights to access for information by people at village level.

Rede Feto witnessed the signing ceremony of Code of Conduct of political parties

Rede Feto was invited to witness the signing of the Political Parties Accords in which all political parties declared their commitment to maintain peaceful campaign, avoid violence and follow the rules that are stated in the document. Rede Feto participation during the signing ceremony was to be one of the official witnesses to ensure the importance and usefulness of the code of conduct of political parties for the presidential and legislative elections.

Assessment and dissemination of the results of the Second National Women’s Congress to members and other stakeholders.

An assessment of the results of the Second National Women’s Congress 2004 based on the Platform of Action (POA) was conducted by the Advocacy Officer of Rede Feto. The Officer interviewed representatives from institutions and organizations representing various sectors to include; Rede Feto members, government departments and United Nations (UN) agencies. Before the conduct of the interviews, a structured questionnaire was developed and sent to each of the organizations identified to be part of the interview. It was followed by individual interviews of which the results were collated, interpreted and analyzed. The draft report was sent to stakeholders for review prior to finalization. The same report will be one of the documentation that will be used in preparation for the Third National Congress that is due to be held in 2008.

Continue Reading...

Commemoration of International Women’s Day 2007

Dili-Timor Leste/March 2007

The celebration of the International Women’s Day was conducted by Rede Feto for two days. With a national theme, “Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women”, the celebration commenced on March 7 to 8, 2007 with several activities which were participated in by its member organizations. The overall activity coordinator was GFFTL, an NGO member of Rede Feto. The objectives of this programme were to raise awareness of the civil society on the effects of impunity on people especially women and to promote peace and harmony in Timor-Leste.

The activities conducted were:

Discussion on the Veterans Law

This activity was held on 28 February at the Office of Rede Feto with three members from the Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs and Rede Feto members. The objective of the discussion was to explain the contents of the Veterans Law and the whole process of giving pension and awards to veterans. An important issue raised in the discussion was on “loyalty” which in principle referred to women who were eligible for the pension but were ignored in the Veterans Law. For instance, the pension plan did not consider widows who remarried for the second time despite spending their entire lives devoted to their husbands in the struggle for independence.

The veteran law focuses only to widows who did not remarry and there was no mention at all about the widowers. There was a negative stereotype among those who were involved in drafting the Law. They prefer to see that women who are not married again will consider as loyal to husbands and thus are considered or entitle to be given the award.

Workshop on book drafting

A one-day workshop was held at the Office of Rede Feto to analyze, review and gather views or comments and suggestions from all members in the revision of a draft book entitled “Hau fo Midar, hau Simu Moruk” before its official launch. The participants during the workshop were from Rede Feto Board of Directors, members and the Executive Body including the story tellers, and representatives from OPE, Oxfam Australia and Progressio. There were several suggestions on how to improve the first draft of the book such as; changing the theme of the book, to simplify and improve its gender analysis, revise some of the ideas from the story tellers, choosing the right pictures and poems to be included. Also discussed were the next steps or actions to be taken which include an advocacy on the amendment of this law and on lobbying with relevant institutions.

Promotion of local products: “Weaving for Life”

The promotion of local products was implemented on 7 to 8 of March that involved Rede Feto members and target groups including the women at Don Bosco’s IDP and the Hafoti group as Progressio’s target group. The women’s groups expressed that the event was very useful because it helped increase their income. One of the participants recommended Rede Feto to continue in conducting an open bazaar at least a quarterly basis as it helps its members. She also mentioned that during the crisis, people were not buying their products due to security reasons, but after the bazaar it had helped them a lot. The bazaar enabled more people to recognize the existence of their group. To continue the promotion of local products, Rede Feto opened a corner or space for them to sell their products at the network’s office.

Book launch on “Medal of Recognition”

The book entitled “Hau fo Midar, Hau Simu Moruk, was launched on 8 March by the Advisor to the Prime Minister on gender equality (OPE). There was a total of 925 copies of the book distributed to members of the National Parliament, government line ministries, District Administrators, Gender Focal Points, universities and Rede Feto members and other stakeholders.

In her speech during the launch, Ms. Aurora Ximenes, the Advisor at OPE emphasized that Timorese women continuously face all kinds of discrimination in their daily life. She cited that violence against women occurs not only in conflict situation but also in normal situation. Also, she advised all participants to pay more attention to end violence and any kind of discrimination by educating children with peace and harmony at home as well as at school. She pointed out the importance of taking up the responsibility of ending violence in their community through activities that will enhance the skills of the youth. At the same time, to enhance the knowledge of the youth on human rights through civic education activities in promoting peace in the community. In addition, she finally recommended the need for Government to pass a law that would promote and protect women’s rights and ensure its implementation.

Messages from two presidential candidates

During the celebration of the International Women’s Day, two of the presidential candidates were able to deliver their messages during the ceremony.

1.) Ms. Lucia Lobato, female candidate representing the Social Democrat Party or PSD

Ms. Lobato stated that the ongoing conflict in Timor-Leste has affected women and limited their access to education. More women are illiterate and had dropped out from school because their parents could not afford in continuously sending their children to school. Ms. Lobato stated that “If in the future she is elected to be president of Timor-Leste, she will emphasize in her programme the importance of providing scholarships to people who have intellectual capacity but are unable to go to school due to school fees”. She mentioned that a scholarship benefit is an important programme especially for women because they are still being considered as second class citizens which is basically rooted in the Timorese society.

Being the only female candidate during the presidential race, Ms. Lobato disclosed that just like other Timorese women, she also have the same experience going through all sorts of difficulties but was able to survive by having received a scholarship. Having completed her education, she has improved her quality as a woman with the aim of helping other women her age who were unable to enjoy much due to limited education. Ms. Lobato briefly told her story related to how she completed her education. She informed; “In her early years, she used to pay her school fees because her parents died when her brothers and sisters were still young. Since she was committed to finish her education, she searched for the appropriate scholarship for her. Based from her experience, she learned that having scholarship programmes for Timorese women is very important because it is only through higher education that can change women’s life and be treated well and become independent and be able to get out of poverty.

2) Mr. Avelino Coelho, male candidate representing PST

In his speech, Mr. Coelho mentioned about the importance of involving men in the promotion of women’s rights. If women work by themselves (without the men cooperating) to advance their rights, it will not help a lot and therefore not change the patriarchal system that have prevailed for a long time. He cited that in order to end discrimination against women and children, all sectors should work together at all levels and to end discriminatory patterns which lead towards inequality. Mr. Coelho added that he would be interested to participate himself and ensure that its implementation goes well.

Talk show in TVTL

Rede Feto together with OPE, organized a “talk show” on TVTL called “Hanoin Lisuk” shown on 8 March. The resource persons invited to be part of the panel were Ms. Maria Barreto, one of Rede Feto’s Board of Directors, Ms. Aurora Ximenes, Adviser for the Prime Minister and a high-ranking official of the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL). The theme for the talk show was “Ending impunity for violence against women and ensure justice for victims”.

Publication of Salurik Bulletin

As regularly proposed to be prepared, Rede Feto continued with its Salurik bulletin every quarter. A special edition was published in line with the celebration of the International Women’s Day. The focus was about the discriminating law that was approved by the National Parliament giving impunity for those who were involved in crimes. It also included Rede Feto’s activities for the last quarter and a one-page features describing FKSH, as one of the members of Rede Feto. There were 350 copies of Salurik printed and distributed to government ministries, members of the National Parliament, Rede Feto members and other stakeholders.***

Continue Reading...

SAIDA MAK KOMUNIDADE RURAIS HANOIN KONA BA VIOLÉNSIA BAZEIA BA JENERU?

Durante komemora loron 16 Aktivismu Kontra Violénsia Hasoru Feto, Rede Feto liu hosi nia membrus OMT/FINAHADA, FOKUPERS, GFFTL no servisu hamutuk ho AMKV hala’o aktividade iha sub-distritu lima iha distritu Lautem, Viqueque, Maliana, Suai, Ermera no Liquiça. Objetivu hosi workshop ne’e mak atu involve mane hapara violénsia kontra feto no hasa’e konsiénsia ba komunidade katak violénsia domestika ne’e hahalok krime ida no presiza komunidade nia suporta atu hapara violénsia ne’e. Durante workshop ne’ebé hahú iha loron 25 Novembru to’o 10 Dezembru 2007, perguntas barak mak mósu relasiona ho problema ne’ebé akontese iha uma laran. Tuir mai ita sei haree;

P: Violénsia Domestika mósu la’os de’it ba ema ki’ik sira maibé ema boot sira. Nu’udar organizasaun ne’ebé interese ba problema violénsia domestika oinsá atu fó apoiu ba feto maluk sira ne’ebé sai vitima ba Violénsia Domestika.
R: Los duni katak autor ba violénsia domestika la’os de’it ema kiik sira maibé ema boot mós. Tuir dadus hosi Fókupers hanesan membrus Rede Feto nian hateten katak autor ba violénsia domestika ne’e mai hosi Parlamentu Nasionál, membrus governu, dosente universidade, membrus hosi PNTL rasik no nomós orgaun kompetentes seluk ne’ebé tuir loloos sira mak fó protesaun ba ema nia direitu maibé justru sira mak viola fali direitu ema nian inklui feto sira ne’ebé sai vitima ba violénsia domestika. Liu hosi membrus Fókupers nia servisu, sira fó ona asisténsia ba feto vitima sira liu hosi asisténsia konseling no legal, Uma Mahon no apoiu atu lori vitima sira ba prosesu tribunál. Sira mós fahe informasaun kona-ba saida mak violénsia bazeia ba jéneru no oinsá atu prevene violénsia hirak ne’e. Informasaun hirak ne’e sira haktuir husi Radio, TVTL, Buletin, newsletters, brosur no pamfletu.

P: Violénsia seksuál mosu tanba agora feto sira hatais roupa oinoin hodi provoka mane sira halo violénsia. Ne’e los ka sala?
R. Tuir dadus hateten katak violénsia seksuál ne’e akontese barak liu ba labarik sira no ferik sira duké ba feto ran sira. Autor ba violénsia hirak ne’e mak aman, padrastu, tiun, maun, primu, kuñadu no ema hirak ne’ebé vitima koñese. Labarik sira ne’ebé hetan violasaun seksuál mak hahú hosi tinan 0-12. Oinsá ho idade hanesan ne’e, sira nia isin ne’e bele atrai ona mane sira no oinsá labarik no ferik sira ne’e hatais roupa ne’ebé seksi no mengundang ka provoka atensaun mane maluk nian? Ida ne’e hatudu katak la’os roupa mak halo atu hamosu violénsia maibé tanba
author mane hirak ne’e mak uza poder hanesan mane ne’ebé domina ho ninia superioridade atu hatuun feto nia dignidade.

P: Ohin loron bainhira ko’alia ba direitus umanus, feto sira lori sira nia direitu atu hakarak halo divorsiu. Oinsá Rede Feto nia haree?
R. Tuir loloos bainhira iha problema ruma sei rezolve hamutuk ho di’ak la’os liu hosi violénsia. “Igreja Katolika nia posizaun kona-ba divorsiu mak hanesan tuir mai: Igreja la permiti ka la hatan kaben-na’in sira atu fahe malu ka halo divorsiu. Maibé bainhira iha uma-kain ida nia laran ida seluk la respeita ona ida fali hodi halo violénsia, mak ema ne’e iha ninia direitu atu dada an, nia iha direitu atu protesta ba institisaun ne’ebé mak fó justisa, tanba ema hotu-hotu iha direitu atu moris livre no moris feliz”.(Bispo D. Basilio Nascimento- hato’o iha Seminar Jubileu Familia-tinan 200 Canossiana).

P: Agora ita haree prostitusaun mós barak iha Dili, feto barak mak mai husi li’ur no halo vida hanesan ne’e no ida ne’e fó influénsia negativu ba ita-nia joven sira iha futuru mai? Oinsá Rede Feto nia hanoin?
R: Profisaun hanesan sex worker/ komersio sex/pekerja seks komersial(PSK) la’os ema liur mak lori mai, maibé, iha nanis kedas ona iha vida ema moris lor-loron nian tanba nesesidade biolojika ema nian. Iha fatin hotu-hotu ita haree fenomena sosiál ida ne’e. Iha faktor hirak ne’ebé hamosu prostituisaun, mak hanesan: pobreza/kiak, vitima husi violénsia sexuál, edukasaun la to’o, faktor moral no mós tanba organizada hosi ema hirak ne’ebé iha poder. Tuir Kodigu Penal Timor Leste, profisaun hanesan ne’e la bandu iha lei maibé ema hirak ne’ebé sai mata dalan, faan ema no organiza PSK mak kontra lei Kódigu Penál. Rede Feto liu husi nia membru Fundasaun Alola halo ona peskiza ba kazu ida ne’e no rezultado hatudu katak ema hirak ne’ebé hili profisaun hanesan ne’e tanba sira sai vitima ba violasaun seksuál, incestu, la’en soe hela, no seluk tan. Iha parte seluk, organizasaun Hari Aumetan fó asisténsia ba feto maluk sira iha área ida ne’e liu husi fahe informasaun no treinamentu nomós liu husi asisténsia sosiál.

P: Bainhira fila hikas husi servisu mai, oras atu han nian maibé hahan seidauk prontu. Tanba feen la halo nia kna’ar loloos mak ha’u hanesan la’en baku ha’u-nia feen, oinsá ita haree ida ne’e?
R: Ema hotu-hotu rekoñese servisu ne’ebé iha saláriu duké servisu iha uma laran ka servisu domestika. Maibé bainhira ita hakarak haree didi’ak servisu iha uma laran kompora servisu iha liur/servisu ne’ebé hetan salariu, servisu uma laran todan. Karik bainhira la’en fila ba uma no hahan seidauk prontu iha meza leten, nia husu lai tanba sa mak hahán seidauk prontu no nia bele ajuda nia feen atu rezolve situasaun ne’ebé iha, no la’os uza emosaun liu husi violénsia. Dala barak feto sira ne’ebé hala’o knaar iha uma, bainhira ema husu sira, sira hatan “ha’u la servisu, iha uma de’it”. Feto rasik la valoriza servisu ne’ebé nia hala’o ho kolen no lori oras barak, hahú husi dader to’o kalan. Karik tau ema ruma iha uma atu hala’o servisu ne’ebé bainbain feen ho oan sira halo entaun ita tenke selu osan ba ema ne’e. Tanba ne’e la’en sira tenke rekoñese servisu iha uma laran. ***

Continue Reading...

“Involve Mane Atu Hapara Violensia Kontra Feto”.

Iha dia 17, fulan Dezembru 1999, Asembleia Jeral ONU hili ona dia 25 Novembru sai nudar loron internasional ba eliminasaun violénsia hasoru feto sira. ONU mos konvida governu sira, organizasaun internasional no ONG nasional atu organiza atividade sira ho objetivu atu hasae koñesementu publiku konaba asuntu ne’e. Komesa tinan 1999, maizumenus organizasaun 1.700 iha nasaun 130 inklui mos Timor Leste partisipa tiha ona iha kampana Loron 16 nian. Loron kampana ne’e refere ba periodu loron 25 Novembru to’o Loron Direitus Umanus ne’ebe monu iha 10 Dezembru.
Loron 25 Novembru sai loron bo’ot ida ba feto iha mundu tomak tamba iha loron ida ne’e iha tinan 1960, akontese tragedia boot iha nasaun Dominika ne’ebe halo feto ativista nain tolu hetan tortura, violénsia no oho husi rezim militar Dominika. Sira nain tolu hanaran Minerva, Maria Tereza no Patriacia Mirabel hanesan ativista klandestina ida ne’ebe kontra rezim militar Jeneral Tujilo. Ema koñese hanesan “La Miraposa” ne’ebe governu hare hanesan aitarak iha sira nia ukun tamba sira nia atividade iha movimentu sosial no politika liu husi igreja iha ne’eba. Maski sira ema oho ona, nia aman Don Enrique Mirabal luta nafatin kontra rezim Jeneral Tujilo. “La Miraposa” hatudu ona sira mos bele halo luta hanesan sira nian laen maski sira hatene sira bele hetan amiasa boot husi militar.
Ba tinan 2007, governu RDTL, PDHJ, Organizasaun Internasioanal no ONG lokal hari komisaun ida atu komemora kampaña loron 16 Aktivismu Kontra Violénsia ba Feto. Rede Feto hanesan mos komisaun organizadora ba selebrasaun ida ne’e hamutuk ho 18 membru organizasaun halao atividade oioin iha nivel nasional no distritu. Atividade ida nee mos sai hanesan programa advokasia ida atu bele fahe informasaun kona-ba direitu feto no fo informasaun diak liu tan. Ba tinan 2007, Rede Feto foti topiku hanesan “Involve Mane atu Hapara Violénsia Kontra Feto” ho objetivu oinsa atu hapara violénsia ne’ebe mosu iha komunidade liu husi mane sira. Mane hanesan parte ida importante atu bele reduz no hapara violénsia domestika iha Timor Leste liu husi dalan advokasia. Tan ne’e persiza kria mekanismu no estratejia ne’ebe diak, atu oinsa mane sira bele sai hanesan parseiru ba feto maluk sira baseia ba resultadu husi Konferensia Bangkok 2007.
Iha nivel distritu, Rede Feto halao atividade workshop iha distritu Los Palos, Viqueque, Maliana no distritu Suai. Iha nivel nasional, Rede Feto hamutuk ho organizasaun Asosiasaun Mane Kontra Violénsia (AMKV) halao workshop loron ida ho topiku “Involve Mane Atu Hapara Violénsia Kontra Feto” ne’ebe halao iha Salaun Centru Juvenil - Taibesi. Workshop nebe halao iha dia 5 Dezembru 2007 ho objetivu oinsa bele involve organizasaun mane no lider komunidade sira atu bele halao kampaña ida ba lei violénsia domestika ne’ebe seidauk aprova. Iha nivel distritu, komesa loron 4 Dezembru 2007, Rede Feto Timor Leste hamutuk ho Assosiasaun Mane Kontra Violensia (AMKV) halao atividade ida iha 5 sub distritu Los Palos hanesan sub distritu Luro, Tutuala, Iliomar, Moro no Los Palos Kota. Husi atividade ida nee, Rede Feto hakarak habelar informasaun kona-ba Loron 16 Aktivismu Kontra Violénsia nian.
Workshop ne’ebe halao iha 5 sub distritu Los Palos hetan antusiasmu diak husi feto no mane sira inklui mos orgaun husi Governo Lokal hanesan Adminitrador Sub Distritu, membru PNTL distritu, Chefe Suco no Chefe Aldeia. Fasilitador husi Rede Feto no AMKV halao diskusaun interativu kona-ba jeneru, violénsia baseia ba jeneru, CEDAW no Resolusaun Bangkok. Husi diskusaun ne’e mosu pergunta barak husi partisipante sira hanesan problema aihan iha uma laran, fen ladun halao nia funsaun ho diak, violénsia ba labarik sira iha uma laran, responsibilidade husi mane nebe fo oan ba feto, no problema seluk tan. Salurik sei hatun pergunta hirak ne’e iha pagina 7 atu bele habelar informasaun ba lei nain sira. Husi diskusaun nee, populasaun husi sub distrito Luro fo agradese tebes, tamba Rede Feto bele implementa programa ida nee to’o iha base hodi hasae sira ninia komprendesaun kona-ba violénsia domestika ne’ebe mosu iha sira nia let. Nomos atu bele kria mekanismu ne’ebe diak liu para bele hamenus violénsia hirak ne’e, liu husi lei Konvensaun Eliminasaun Diskriminasaun Kontra Feto (CEDAW). Sira mos sente katak liu husi workshop ida ne’e ho topiku “ Involve Mane Atu Hapara Violensia Kontra Feto” bele reflekta mane ninia hahalok atu hapara violensia domestika iha sira nia let.
Iha parte seluk, FOKUPERS hanesan membru Rede Feto halao mos komemora Loron 16 Aktivismu Kontra Violensia. Iha Suai, FOKUPERS fahe ka habelar informasaun sobre violensia domestika hasoru feto atu nunee komunidade sivil bele iha konesementu diak liu kona ba asuntu ida nee. Atividade ida nee mos hetan resposta diak husi lider komunidade nomos sira husu para atividade hanesan nee bele kontinua halo iha nivel distritu. Loron 25 Novembru hatudu ba ita, atu hetan liberdade presiza sacrifiu bot hanesan mos ita nia luta husi violensia domestika mos presiza feto Timor Leste nia luta. Violensia domestika hanesan problema ida nebe nasaun hot-hotu hasoru. Tamba ne’e atu persiza duni halao kampanha iha nivel nasional no iha area rural tamba realidade hatete violensia domestika barak liu akontese iha area rural. Durante tinan barak ona, feto Timor Leste moris iha violensia oi-oin ho nune feto sira lalika tauk atu fo sai kona ba violensia nebe mak sira hasoru. Kuando Timor Leste laiha lei ida kona ba Violensia Domestika, feto barak nebe sai vitima ba violensia ne’eiha tinan-tinan bele aumenta bebeik. Atu hapara violensia kontra feto, membru Parlementu Nasional, membru Governu, organizasaun internasional, ONG lokal, mane sira nomos komunidade tomak tenke fo liman ba malu atu lei violensia domestika agora dadaun iha Parlamentu Nasional nia liman bele aprova lalais. ***

Continue Reading...

HABERAN FETO NIA DIREITU HUSI POLITIKA LEGISLASAUN

Loron 3 Novembru, Timor Leste komemora hanesan loron ida importante ba feto maluk sira. Iha loron ida nee feto ida naran Maria, nia ema husi rai Tapo ho aten brani tiru malu hasoru imigu no mate iha linha de fogo antes loron invasaun 7 Dezembru 1975. Nia hanesan primeira figura exemplar hodi fo’an ba funu libertasaun nasional. Hafoin ukun an, Parlementu Nasional ofisialmente aprova Lei.17/I/3/2005 nudar Loron Nasional Feto Timor Leste nebe rekomenda husi OPMT liu husi Segundu Kongresu Nasional Feto TL iha Junhu 2004 ba estadu Timor Leste hodi rekoñese no valoriza kontribuisaun feto TL iha luta ba ukun rasik an.
Rede Feto hanesan salurik ba 18 organizasaun feto hari komisaun organizadora ida atu bele komemora loron ida ne’e. Iha nivel nasional, Rede Feto halao workshop ida ho topiku “Haberan Feto Nia Direitus Liu Husi Politika Legislasaun”. Workshop ida ne’e halao iha loron 3 Novembru 2007, iha Salaun Memorial Hall - Farol. Maski monu iha loron feriadu, atividade ida ne’e hetan partisipasaun makaas husi governu, ONG no feto maluk sira husi distritu. Partisipa mos membru Parlemento Nasional, Ministru Ekonomia no Dezenvolvimento, Ministru Edukasaun, Ministra Solidaridade Sosial, Vice Minitra Saude no Adjunto Provedor Direitus Umanus. Iha loron ida ne’e Rede Feto fo oportunidade ba feto maluk sira atu bele hato’o sira nia problema ba orgaun governu sira. Diskusaun interativu ne’e mos hanesan parte ida atu bele rezolve ba problema feto maluk sira liu-liu husi area rurais atu bele haberan feto nia direitu iha Timor Leste.
Partisipante sira satisfeitu ho workshop ida ne’e tamba sira bele hetan informasaun direita husi orgaun governu ne’ebe sai orador iha workshop ida ne’e. Hatan ba problema feto maluk sira enfrenta hanesan dalan, sasan la folin no seluk tan, governu promete atu buka solusaun ba resolve problema iha base liu plano estrategia ba tinan lima. Iha programa ida ne’e mos hatudu kona ba musika no teatro.
Iha 2 Novembru 2007 kalan, Rede Feto mos halao debate interativu ida liu husi programa TVTL nian. ho topiku “Haberan Feto Nia Direitu liu Politika Legislasaun”. Ba debate ida ne’e, Rede Feto konvida Vice Presidente PN Nasional, Maria Paixao no Direitora Executiva Rede Feto, Ubalda Alves hanesan orador. Durante oras ida, Maria Paixao hanesan mos Presidente Grupu Feto Parlementu esplika kona ba situasaun feto Timor Leste nebe inferenta problema barak iha moris lor-loron relasaun ho sistema patriakal iha Timor Leste no saida mak Parlementu atu bele haberan direitu feto nian liu legislativa. Dialogo ne’e mos hetan pergunta barak husi telespektadores liu-liu mane sira relasaun ho problema kultura no uma laran. Iha Maliana, Rede Feto hamutuk Caucus Feto iha Politika distribui 2000 pamfletu kona ba historia Maria Tapo ba estudante no komunidade iha neba. Objectivu husi distribuisaun pamfletu ne’e para sira la bele haluha ho luta ne’ebe feto maluk sira husi Tapo. ***

Continue Reading...

CEDAW SHADOW REPORT

TOT On CEDAW and SHADOW Report Writing Workshop for NGOs

On 6-10 August 2007, Rede Feto in partnership with UNIFEM, conducted a 5- day workshop which was divided into two parts: the first part was the training of trainers on CEDAW for two days; and the second part, a three-day for workshop on the Shadow Report. The participants to this workshop were Rede Feto members who had programmes providing training and education for communities and for IDP camps. In the second part of the workshop, some members of Rede Feto and other stakeholders such as: the Judicial System Monitoring Program (JSMP) and Men Association Against Violence (AMKV) attended the shadow report. The workshop was held at Juvenile Centre in Taibesi, Dili with facilitators from Australia who had vast experience in drafting the Australian Shadow Report.

The aim of the training was to increase/enhance the skills of Timorese NGOs to leading CEDAW-related activities especially trainings It was aimed to enhance the capacity of NGO members to raise awareness and develop their understanding as trainers on CEDAW and also helped develop or expand a long-term pool of resource persons who can conduct trainings and provide technical assistant on CEDAW, both at the local and national levels. The training was also aimed at strengthening the abilities of individuals in conducting trainings. The objectives of the workshop were:

1. To strengthen NGOs knowledge on CEDAW especially on how to lead CEDAW trainings and provide technical assistance on the CEDAW training;
2. To develop more skills amongst women’s activists in order to become resource persons on CEDAW and as CEDAW trainers;
3. To develop their basic skills in shadow report writing; and
4. To strengthen the capacity of NGOs in integrating CEDAW principles into its mandate, organizational processes, systems and practices, programmes and advocacy.

The increased the knowledge and skills of Rede Feto members in facilitating training and understand the process of writing shadow report, increased knowledge about the module on CEDAW training and learnt experiences from other countries such as Australia in writing a shadow report and one how to analyze a CEDAW State report.

Recruitment of a National Coordinator

After some time of recruiting a National Coordinator for the project, Rede Feto decided to award the project to one of its members to lead the implementation with the involvement of other members and stakeholders to participate in the process of consultation and actual writing shadow report. The Women’s Caucus or Caucus: Feto Iha Politica was agreed to be responsible in taking the lead role and coordinate the programme for one year. Rede Feto will monitor the implementation and ensure the program meet the objectives and ensure compliance to the project’s budget as planned. The National Coordinator recruited for the project was Ms. Laura Pina, former Executive Director of Rede Feto in 2003-2005.

Preparation and work planning

The National Coordinator developed a draft work plan for one-year in consultation with UNIFEM, the CEDAW working group and Rede Feto’s Advisor. The work plan focused on the priority activities especially those that were not implemented during the first few months of the project.

Regular Meeting

The Women’s Caucus had conducted 3 regular meetings with the CEDAW working group. The first meeting was held on 31 March involving 13 participants from Rede Feto as members of the working group. The objective of the meeting was to present and the one-year work plan. The work plan was approved by the CEDAW working group. The second working group meeting was held on 15 April at UNTL which involved 5 lecturers from National University of TL, Dili Institute, AKAKOM, Dili University to discuss the possibility of their involvement in the working group and participate in thematic issues that have been chosen. Finally, the third meeting was held on 28 April 28 at the office of Caucus: Feto Iha Politica with 28 participants. The group decided to choose 8 facilitators to be responsible in facilitating the thematic issues such; Group one to discuss articles 1-5 with Ms. Rosa de Sousa, Fokupers Executive Director as facilitator. Group 2 on Violence Against Women to be facilitated by Ms. Maria Barreto, Advocacy Programme Manager of Fokupers and Rede Feto Board member. Group 3 will discuss about education and will be facilitated by Filomena Fuca and Odete Amaral, Coordinator of GFFTL. Group 4 on Health and will be facilitated by Ambrozio from PAS. Group 5 on Livelihood, private sectors and will be facilitated by Fundasaun Alola, Maria Madalena. Group 6 on Marriage and family, culture and will facilitate Dinorah. Group 7 on Justice, Politic and Employment and will be facilitated by Luis and Agnes. Group 8 on Social Services and will facilitate by Mr. Olivio AMKV.

Re-coaching Workshop Activities

In the first meeting, the working groups were concerned about their roles and functions in the implementation of the CEDAW Shadow report. They were confused on how to start the work because there were no meetings to clarify their concerns. Based on the problems, the team decided to conduct a one-day workshop on the review and re-orientation on the roles and functions of each working group. The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Repelita Tambunan, CEDAW-SEAP National Coordinator from UNIFEM, the Rede Feto Advisor and the National Coordinator of the CEDAW Shadow Report project. The workshope ended with the following results: a) the working groups understood their roles such as to collect information or gather data and cases and interview with target group and read and analyze the State Report and write an alternative report on CEDAW. b) decided on 8 thematic issues to focus on and c) worked on a plan to conduct regional consultation in district that will be done in May to June 2008. The first workshop was agreed to be conducted in Dili on 6-7 May which involved the districts of Aileu and Manatuto, the second workshop on 15-16 May in Suai that involved the districts of Same and Ainaro districts, the third workshop on 22-23 May that involved Liquica and 2 other districts Ermera and Bobonaro. The fourth workshop was conducted on 27 to 28 May held in the district of Baucau and that covered the districts of Viqueque and Lospalos. The last regional workshop was held on 4 to 5 June in the district of Oecussi.

Preparations for the regional workshops in the 5 regions

Before conducting the regional workshops, the project staff at the Secretariat of Rede Feto coordinated and lobbied with stakeholders in the districts through the District Laison Officer (DLO) of the NGO Forum, local NGOs and leaders of women’s organizations in the districts, in identifying potential participants to the regional workshops based on the criteria of the Working Group of CEDAW. The TOR and invitation were drafted by the National Coordinator and were distributed to stakeholders in the districts for review.

Conducted regional workshop related to women’s issues

Rede Feto, through its NGO member Caucus: Feto Iha Politica, implemented a regional workshop on that was held on May to June 2008. The workshop provided information on various cases related to women’s issues. The workshop involved NGO members of Rede Feto and other local NGOs in the districts and other civil society organizations. The participants were enthusiastic about the information sharing particularly the topic focused on CEDAW, with some of the participants having heard about it for the first time.

Continue Reading...

HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION AND GBV PREVENTION

One of the programme of Rede Feto supported by the Government of Finland and Irish Aid is to promote women’s rights and gender equality in school and out-of-school youth and children. With the out- of- school group, Rede Feto through its members FMF, GFFTL and PAS, conducted a training for women of council of villages and husbands and wives in villages in 3 the districts. The total number of participants who undertook the training were 805 from December 2007 until May 2008. The GFFTL conducted training to 231 participants in Baucau district. From the 231, women are 125 and men are 106. PAS conducted training to 367 participants in Dili district. From the 367, men are 180 and women are 187. FMF conducted training to 207 participants in Liquica district. From 207 participants, 100 were women and 107 men. Rede Feto has planed to conduct training to students and teachers on human rights and gender equality in the same three districts.

Meeting with the Minister of Education to integrate of human rights and gender equality into the school curriculum

The Program Officer of human rights and gender equality together with the Executive Director of Rede Feto met with the Minister of Education to discuss the possibility of integrating human rights and gender equality in the curriculum and to conduct training for teachers and students on these topics. It was agreed that Rede Feto and the Minister of Education will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to implement the programmes in schools in the three pre-selected districts.

Continue Reading...

WOMEN’S ASSEMBLY AND EMPOWERMENT

Conducted needs assessment to women’s desk in political parties

The Executive Body of Rede Feto has extended its programme to the empowerment of the women’s assembly or the women’s wings of the political parties in Timor-Leste. The objective of the programme is to ensure that the women’s organization in political parties are able increase their knowledge on the gender perspectives and women’s rights and how they are able to integrate them into their political parties’ policies and internal regulations. Given the importance of the programme, Rede Feto had approached the heads of the political parties at the National Parliament to discuss about the programme, which they have agreed accordingly to the ideas of Rede Feto. In line with this, the Capacity Building Officer of Rede Feto conducted a needs assessment with the women’s organizations in the political parties to discuss their needs and problems and on how Rede Feto can provide the necessary support. Together with representatives of the women’s organizations, we identified the training programes that are needed by them such as gender analysis, women’s rights, leadership skills, public speaking, and on organizational development. Rede Feto has also requested the support of UNIFEM and UNMIT in the conduct of the training.

Training on Gender and Leadership

On the basis of the needs assessment conducted, the Rede Feto Capacity Building Programme provided continued support by conducting a training to 50 participants from women’s organization in political parties such as CNRT, PUN, PSD, ASDT, UNDERTIM and PD. The training was provided in collaboration with UNIFEM, Caucus: Feto Iha Politica and Rede Feto. The participants were very enthusiastic in attending the training because they have gained additional knowledge and skills most especially in encouraging them to be more self confident. They have requested for Rede Feto’s continued support through training.

Training on writing a proposals and reports

The Rede Feto Capacity Building Officer and Advisor conducted a 1-day training on writing proposals to women’s organizations of political parties. The total participants were 15 representing. The participants are currently preparing their proposals for submission to donors and government to support their activities.

Continue Reading...

CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES 2007 – JUNE 2008

Worked towards increased and diversified funding base of the network

Rede Feto and UNIFEM prepared a proposal on Enhancing Women’s Role in Timor-Leste Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Nation Building to the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) to facilitate capacity building interventions for two years. The proposal was submitted to UNDEF in New York in middle of June and was approved to commence in January 2009. Rede Feto received the approval letter from UNDEF New York to support activity in strengthening women capacity in the village councils through NGO members in four districts including Lautem, Viqueque, Ermera and Oecussi for two years. The budget allocation for two years was US$ 275,000.00.

In addition, Rede Feto was requested by other donors such as The Asia Foundation (TAF), HIVOS and AusAID to submit project proposals to them.

On-the job-coaching programme implemented for 5 NGOs

The on going programme for the on job coaching was conducted by the Capacity Building Officer on Programme, Finance and Administrative Management for three NGOs with Human Rights and GBV Programmes. The members would come to the Rede Feto office for two days in a week’s and hold hands-on training with the different officers of the Secretariat. Now, three members NGOs, have improved their operations and are continuously implementing their programmes with the assistance of Executive Body of Rede Feto.

5 programme staff provide technical assistance to member NGOs

The Executive Director, Capacity Building Officer, Administrative Officer and Finance Officer along with two Project Officers; the Human Rights Programme Officer and the Project Officer for the Women’s Committee Project provided technical assistance to the members of Rede Feto. They conducted trainings on strategic planning, management organization, proposal and report writing, donor’s relations, gender analysis, human rights and on-the-job coaching for members of Rede Feto. The Advisor of Rede Feto assisted the Executive Body in training the members of Rede Feto.

Financial monitoring of NGO members conducted by Finance Officer

The Finance Officer of Rede Feto had conducted her regular financial monitoring of the members who were implementing programmes/projects supported by Rede Feto. The Officer ensured that the expenditures of the budget should follow donor’s requirements.

Nine member NGOs have good programme, admin and financial management systems

Out of the 18 NGO members of Rede Feto, 9 members were trained on strategic planning. Six (6) members had undergone training on administrative and financial management. The three members had implemented programme on human rights and GBV for one year.

Three NGO members received financial support from Irish Aid and the Government of Finland

Three NGO members of Rede Feto received financial support from Irish Aid and the Government of Finland to implement human rights and GBV education in three districts such as Baucau, Liquica and Dili. The support covered for the projects to have their own offices, carried out a strategic planning workshop that included discussions on finance and administrative procedures that were installed by the Rede Feto Executive Body through on-the-job coaching and training. The Executive Body and Advisor also assisted the finalization of the strategic plan of Caucus: Feto Iha Politica for three years. They also request funding from Development and Peace (D&P) to support them.

Continue Reading...

COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2008

The annual celebration of the International Women’s Day 2008 with the theme, “ Invest to Children and Women, Invest to Equality“ involved 5 members of Rede Feto that are based in the districts namely; FMF in Liquica, OMT/Finhada in Lautem, GFFTL in Baucau, Hari Aumetan in Dili, Sta. Bakhita in Manatutu, OPMT in Dili ( Metinaro and Hera). Rede Feto, in collaboration with SEPI and other stakeholders, celebrated the day in Dili with several activities as described below. On the other hand, the celebration in the districts went well because it were well participated in by the community leaders and people in the communities were the activities were held. The IWD celebration was aimed for Rede Feto to closely work in partnership with government agencies, in ensuring their programmes in promoting the advancement of women’s rights in the next five years and to ensure that government’s policies and budgets include provisions and/or allocations to women’s rights and gender equality.

1. The activities conducted to celebrate IWD’2008 included a workshop and a television programme over TVTL. The workshop conducted in Dili was conducted by two Rede Feto members, OPMT and Hari Aumetan. OPMT organized a three-day workshop in Metinaro, Hera and Dili on the 10-12 March 2008 that involved representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Commerce, Ministry of Economy and Development through the Secretary of State for Rural Development, representatives from UNFPA and Pradet. In Metinaro, 28 people attended the 10 March 2008 workshop which was divided into three parts. The first part was presented by the Head of OPMT, Ms. Lourdes Alves, on how to establish and develop women’s economic products in rural areas whilst the second part was about Mental Health (stress and trauma) which was presented by the Executive Director of Pradet. The third and last part of the workshop was about Gender-Based Violence which was facilitated by Ms. Mariquita Soares from OPMT.

The question raised in the workshop was about the community center that was established in 2007 to run small business, but it faced various problems such as limited financial support to buy materials. They asked the government officials present to help them solve the needs of the group to run their small business. Regarding the issues of gender based violence section; the participants agreed that one cause of domestic violence is misinterpretation of the culture. They suggested that we should nurture good values of culture and ignore the bad ones. The second workshop was held in Hera market on March 11, 2008 with 30 participants. The topics discussed were about Gender based Violence and mental health. This was facilitated by the Executive Director of Pradet, Mira Martins and Ms. Marquita Soares, members of OPMT and Representatives of State Secretariat for Rural Development. They talked about what is violence and types of violence, laws that protect women’s rights, organizations that provided services. Government Representative talked about program implementation and budget allocation to advance rural women. They are happy to involve women’s group in program training so that they can develop rural areas. The last section opened for discussion and answers. The third workshop was held in Dili at Xanana Reading Room with 28 participants. The activity was also attended by members of the government, UNFPA representative and Pradet. The topics discussed were Gender Based Violence, mental health, Rural Economic development. The subject for GBV was delivered by Abilio Belo and Maia from SEPI and Mental health was presented by Pradet Representatives and last subject was delivered by Representative of Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Commerce. Regarding to GBV issues, they identified the difference between sex and gender, which included difference of biological, roles, opportunity and access between women and men to any public information. They also identified what is gender based violence and to whom victim of gender based violence should complaint their cases and why domestic violence is considered a crime. The participants seem very enthusiasm to hear from facilitators and asked question whenever they get confuse. The second remark was presented by facilitator from Pradet which specific stress to what is stress and trauma and how to find solution. They also emphasis on why trauma occur and others external factors that affected to trauma. The last section was delivered by representative of ministry of trade and tourism, and her speech focused on the government program in the respective ministry and how they involved women in government programs.

Aumetan Hari’i

The workshop was held on 6 March 2008 at Becusi de Baixo and Romit with a total of 79 participants composed of village leaders, youths and women. The facilitator was a Brazilian sister, who shared about their programme in combating HIV/AIDs in Timor-Leste. The opening remarks or message was delivered by the village head, who welcomed the participants to the workshop and explained how it will enrich their knowledge on health promotion. The committee asked the Ministry of Health to provide information on the National Campaign on Prevention HIV/AIDS but unluckily they were busy that time hence the Brazilian sister was requested instead to provide information on HIV/AIDs. During the workshop, the participants were very interested in this issue because it was the first time for most of them to know about the programme of government, about HIV/AIDS, its effects and how to prevent HIV/AIDS. It was highlighted that in order to prevent the disease, adequate information have to be made available to all people to enable them to understand and work together towards the prevention of any kind of diseases and strengthen coordination between government and the civil society.

District Baucau

The workshop was held on 12 of March 2008 in Venilale sub district. The invited speakers were the ministry of education and state secretariat for rural development but they did not come because one got sick and the other had an emergency meeting in Dili. So, GFFTL invited Ms. Antoneita Rodrigues from a local organization in Baucau and head of sub district. Ms. Antonieta presented the topic of women’s participation in nation building and Gender based violence. There were 42 participants consisted of 10 men and 32 women. The participants came from illiteracy group project of GFFTL who have been their target group since 2002. The questions during the workshop were why only women’s day and not men’s day, why only have women’s convention and not regulate men’s rights, why Men only pay dowry/ barlaque and women do not pay, why husband and wives get divorce, it is considered as a rights to get divorce. Ms. Antonieta responded by saying that international women’s day was approved by UN because of several discrimination that was faced by women in all nation. For example; women were still considered as second class and have limited access to education, health, and others sectors. She also explained the background why UN approved women’s day. She emphasized that the discrimination toward women occurred everywhere including Timor Leste. It is a global issue that international and national institution should prevent it by coming out with policy legislation that promote and protect women’s rights. Regarding the women’s convention, she also emphasized that the constitution RDTL enshrine equality between men and women and previous government and national parliament signed and ratified seven treaties that promote women’s rights including men, women and children.

She also mentioned about the meaning of dowry/barlaque is to value women and established unity between two new families, but the implementation of Barlaque have been contradictory with the original concept. The changing between buffalos and pig and Traditional tais have several meanings. One is to value women’s dignity. In fact, it goes contrary with the original concept. The misinterpretation of the society on Barlaque has brought negative impact to women and it also caused domestic violence. Domestic Violence is considered as a crime and it should be processed in the court. The types of violence are four such as physical, psychological, sexual and economic. She said that the organization who provide assistance and the role and function of head of villages to assist women victim in their villages to seek for assistances.

The activity was ended by the Venilale sub-district head, saying that the information of women’s rights and gender based violence should always be disseminated to the community people for them to become aware of these issues on violence and work with organization that provide assistance to victims of violence including the police in each area. Community will also become aware that the domestic violence is a crime and not private case.

District Manatutu

The workshop was conducted in village Kairui in sub district of Laleia on March 6, 2008. The facilitator was a representative from the Ministry of Economy and Development and Rede Feto Executive Body. The workshop involved 96 participants composed of women 79 and men 17. The opening remark was conducted by the Kairui village head and the following section was delivered by Rep Ministry of Economy and Development. She explained the program of their department and how it related to advance women’s economically. The question raised by the participants was that the government did not pay attention to promote women’s local product such as Tais and weaving. They said that they want to produce more but their product was not valued with money. There is no market to buy local product and government have no policy to regulate local product activity. They asked government to promote local products rather than promote other international product. They asked government to provide them sewing machine to sew clothes for student uniform. They also asked training on management businesses. The Representative said that she will gather all the problems and needs and will present to her ministry to take into consideration of these issues.

The second section was delivered by Executive Director of Rede Feto on Gender Based violence. She explained the definition of gender based violence, its categories, laws that are applicable in promoting and protecting women and victims of GBV and seek for organization who provide assistance. The participants were very keen to know these issues because they thought that in their villages the GBV problems always occur and they only seek for mediation between victim and perpetuators. They also raised issues of divorce and its impact to women and children. According to participants, cases of abandonment always happen in the community and mostly women especially mother should take care of her children and without any assistance from their father. The situation made women vulnerable to any kind of violence and discrimination that occurs in society. Men are married with several women and do not responsibility to their first wives and growing up children. The executive director of Rede Feto answers their questions by explaining the applicable law that regulated the cases. The problems that occur is that the limited human resources in judicial system, regional court only in same districts and impeded the victim to seek for judicial system. She also emphasized that based on law no 5/2004 on local authority stated that one of the council of villages’ responsibility is to assist women victim in their community to seek for the organization that provide assistances. The last was closed by head of village and provide recommendation to Rede Feto to always strengthen and empower rural women so that women can participate in developing their nation.

Liquica District

The one day workshop was held on March 7, 2008 at Salaun Tokodede Liquica. The speakers were State Secretariat for professional training and business (SEFPE) and Abilio Belo from UNFPA. The total participants were 55, composed of 31 women and 24 men. They came from local Ngo, community leaders and youths from the sub-districts of Maubara and Bazartete.

The opening ceremony was delivered by State Secretariat and congratulated the women especially women in Liquica. He stated that the role of women now is to participate in nation building. Women should prepare and be ready to develop our new nation. He also stressed his program in his department to advance women’s rights. But he said he will elaborate in his coming section. The second speech was vice administrator of district Liquica and congratulated women in Liquica because of their contribution in process of development. She said that as women in council of village made important role because they should ensure the developing of their villages. She said that because of important role of women in nation building, she opened this workshop.

The second section was delivered by State Secretariat with topic to increase fund for education and training to develop women and children in rural area. He said that this government has commitment to advance women’s rights and established one department on gender equality.

He stressed that education is an important aspect to develop women’s to participate in nation building. Government has committed to provide free education and encourage women to enter high education such as university degree including master and PhD degree. He said that in the past, because of patriarchal system, family usually allowed men to get high education and ignore women’s as a human being who also have the same rights as men and what the consequences are. We see the gap between men who has high education is very high compare with women, men occupied decision making in all levels. He said that our time is different, we should change our patriarchal system that impede women’s life and limited women to get access to any information and training and other public services.

The second speaker is Mr. Abilio Belo from UNFPA on Gender Based Violence in Timor Leste. He started explaining the type of violence and categories into four such as physic, psychology, sexual and economic. And than the session open to question and answers. The participants interested in ask question on economic problems that was faced by families and it will create violence toward vulnerable people who live in one house. Others question about the misinterpretation of women’ rights that place women to be as men has. There are sexual violence cases that appeared in community but to bring to process in court are very slowly and make people do not bring their cases to court.

He answered the question by saying that domestic work should not only women who will do it but also men to contribute and finalize the work because if we only wait for women to do for us as men, we will burden her with a lot of works. And if she gets ill, who can replace her to do it. So we should share the domestic work to minimize women’s work at home.

The second question, he answered by referring to articles 17 in Constitution of Timor Leste that stated that equality between women and men. It means that equality of rights and not said that women should become as men. But women should have their rights as men have. One example, we can see 30 % quato for women in National Parliament. He also said that to reduce the violence toward women, we should work together from every aspect to combat it. In our society, we should raise awareness among people that violence against women is considered crime and society should assist the victim and bring to organization that provide assistance.

The last activity was growing plan near the river. It involved eleven representatives from ministry of agriculture, 25 students, 25 community leaders, participants of the workshops and community who live near the river.

Lautem District

Two day workshops were held in Lautem district which took place in center capital on 8 of March and one in Home village of Lautem sub district on 12 of March 2008. The total participants for the first workshop were 55 and the second workshop were 47 which came from local government representatives, members of PNTL, UNPOL, and heads of community, local NGOs, students, Gender Vocal point, and women representatives. The opening remark was conducted by head of district administrator which said that this day is important for Timorese women because our history has shown us that women’s contribution to our struggle for independence are very essential and it should follow by our young generation. Even our current situation is different but we should try to see the experiences and united of people of Timor Leste to fight for independence. He also stated that as a Timorese, we should work hard and unite to develop our new born country that faced a lot of obstacles in developing the country in the future.

After the opening remarks, the coordinator of FINHADA presented about the history of the International women’s day and focused her speech on the national topic. She also mentioned about GBV issues. She explained the definition of GBV and types of violence and identified organization that supports victim of gender based violence. The participants raised question about the important of public education on ending violence toward women, and it should do continuously in every sectors in all districts. They also suggested integrating gender based violence issues in school curriculum to valorize democracy and human dignity principles.

National Celebration

Rede Feto members were also involved in the national events that was organized by SEPI in collaboration with NGOs and other UN agencies including UNIFEM, UNFPA, etc. Rede Feto members brought their local products such as: tais, baskets and others souvenir items to the cultural night activities. The participants expressed their sincerest gratitude to the organizing committee because many people had appreciated and purchased from their products.

Television programme through TVTL

Rede Feto also invited its partners such as LUTA HAMUTUK and SEPI to participate in a TVTL Talk Show programme. They focused their messages on the year’s theme “Invest to children and women, Invest to equality”. Also tackled during the discussions were on gender mainstreaming policies and government’s allocation of budget that should take into account women and children. Luta Hamutuk stated that the total budget allocation to SEPI for the year 2008 is very small that support could not even reach the rural areas. H.E. Ms. Idelta Rodrigues, the State Secretary at SEPI stated that government adopts gender mainstreaming policies and thus allocated for this year, budget for the development of women and children in every sector in all line government ministries.

Continue Reading...