Dili, October 3, 2024 (Média Democracia) – The European Union supports funding for “Rede Feto Timor-Leste” to organize a women’s municipal conference. RFTL will consult with women in Timor-Leste on efforts to promote gender equality and empower women in Timor-Leste. These ideas will result in a political document called the “Women’s Action Platform Timor-Leste”, which will be used to record and monitor achievements in efforts to promote gender equality and empower women, and will also advocate on government laws, policies, systems and programmes.
Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union Timor-Leste, Christoph Sorg said that the conference will be held in all municipalities and includes the sixth National Congress in Dili. Participants are women from several sectors such as agriculture, education, industry, health, politics and women’s associations at the village, post-administration and municipal levels.
“The duration of the conference is two days in each municipality and includes presentation of the results of the monitoring of the action platform, group discussions in eight thematic areas such as, Justice, Education, Health, Economy and Industry, Politics and Political Life, Social Inclusion, Environment and Climate Change, and Gender Integration and also identifying and selecting women delegates to participate in this national congress.” Said the Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union Timor-Leste, Christoph Sorg
He explained that, “Rede Feto Timor-Leste” is a network of organizations that work to promote gender equality and empower women through advocacy, networking, institutions, and capacity building. “Rede Feto” has 46 members as members of the organization, 26 of whom are still active in their duties and advocacy in the municipality.
“We are proud to partner with ‘Rede Feto’ in their struggle that is now fighting for gender equality and women’s empowerment in Timor-Leste, must regularly consult with women in their dispersed representation, inform them and obtain information. An important key to this struggle is civil society monitoring of government performance, and increasing civil society advocacy. ‘Rede Feto’ and its members are ideally positioned to carry out their important work.” He continued.
On the other hand, President of the Board of Directors of “Rede Feto Timor-Leste”, Zelia Fernandes added that the support of the European Union as we have known that the EU has a strong compromise on the issue of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment through several supports.
“As the Spotlight Initiative, empowering women and advocating for women’s rights issues, we are delighted to announce that the EU’s support is significant for the Women’s Municipal Conference in 13 municipalities that will be held for six weeks and the highlight of the conference will be the National Women’s Congress.” Said RFTL Board President, Zelia Fernandes
She continued, she was very happy when received financial support from the European Union which kindly provided support to “Rede Feto” for the implementation of the Timor-Leste Women’s Municipal Conference to the Timor-Leste Women’s National Congress.
“RFTL is pleased that at a difficult time for us RFTL to receive support to organize the Timor-Leste Women’s Municipal Conference, therefore the European Union representatives came to approach the ‘Rede Feto’ to discuss how they can provide support.” She added.
To clarify this, she thanked the European Union for its support in organizing the Women’s Municipal Conference and the National Congress in Timor-Leste with a total funding support of more than 131 million euros for “Rede Feto” to finance the Municipal Conference in 12 Municipalities including the RAEOA which will be organized by the National Congress of Timor-Leste Women. The European Union has supported RFTL since independence until now to be responsible for women in Timor-Leste.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Photo : Estefania