Dili, March 25, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Secretary of State for Equality (S.E.I.) held the first meeting with members of the Inter-Ministerial Commission (KIM) to coordinate the implementation and monitoring of the National Action Plan – Gender-Based Violence 2022-2023.
S.E.I. Elvina Sousa Carvalho expressed her gratitude to the members of the inter-ministerial commission who attended the reunion, as this activity was the first meeting in 2025 to introduce the members based on the government resolution.
“This meeting is the first meeting of the year with the aim of starting to introduce the mechanism of the Inter-Ministerial Commission for the Coordination of the Implementation and Monitoring of PAN-GBV 2022-2023 based on Government resolution number 49/2024, dated September 6,” said Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa.
Because Government Resolution number 49/2024 gives authority and responsibility to S.E.I. to hold regular meetings every six months between S.E.I. and members of the Inter-Ministerial Commission based on the orientation mentioned in the Resolution, especially regarding she transparent, effective and efficient collaboration and cooperation.
She said that the Inter-Ministerial Council Members will offer the necessary technical standards in order to prevent Gender-Based Violence and promote gender equality in Timor-Leste.
“The general objective of the establishment and operation of the Inter-Ministerial Commission is as a key effective and efficient coordination mechanism to bring together ideas or recommendations and actions for the promotion of gender equality, because the Inter-Ministerial Commission is a forum that effectively facilitates updated information and good practices on existing programs in PAN-GBV to prevent and eliminate various forms of violence in Timor-Leste.” She said.
She informed that the members of the Inter-Ministerial Council are members of the Government responsible for the fields of Security, Health, Education, Justice, Social Solidarity, Public Administration, Finance, Trade and Industry, Social Communication, Professional and Employee Training, Youth and Sports, Infrastructure and three Civil Society Organizations that support in Prevention, Provision and essential Services for victims and support legally with justice.
She emphasized that based on the existing resolution, this reunion is valid if attended by half of the members of the Inter-Ministerial Council.
“Therefore, before starting the meeting, it is necessary to clarify the participation of members, because those who will make decisions in this meeting are all of you. In addition, KIM members will coordinate, monitor, and report on the implementation of the National Action Plan for Anti-Gender Based Violence in 2022-2023 and your competence will explain in detail the technical aspects of S.E.I.” She added.
Because every year they have to submit a report on the implementation of PAN-GBV to the Council of Ministers and after conveying their hopes to the National Parliament, all members strive to ensure that the implementation of PAN-GBV can be carried out immediately, because all of these contributions and dedications are what will achieve gender equality in Timor-Leste.
She added that the members of the Council will not work alone, S.E.I. will strive to work together with all State Institutions to implement the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence. In addition, she also thanked the dedication and collaboration of KIM members to work together with S.E.I. in combating Gender-Based Violence and promoting gender equality in Timor-Leste.
On this occasion, Alfela’s Executive Director, Marcelina Amaral said that today’s meeting was about the Inter-Ministerial Council led by S.E.I. and in this meeting Alfela together with the Alola Foundation participated as civil society to also become members of the Inter-Ministry.
“The purpose of today’s meeting is to see how members can have a proper line of coordination on prevention, how to work together to respond or implement the National Action Plan, Gender Based Violence,” She said.
She also said that every year and every day Alfela offers legal services to women and child victims to access the formal justice system.
Meanwhile, the meeting was attended by the Alola Foundation, Afela, Fokupers and the ranks of Ministries such as PNTL, Ministry of Education, Ministry of State Administration, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Secretary of State for Social Communications, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Science and Culture, Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment, and Ministry of Public Works.
Reported by : Estefania
Picture by : Estefania