Dili. November 7, 2024 (Média Democracia) – Plan international together with development partners hold intergerational dialogues for political, education, economics, social and cultural with themes, “women lead change”. This activity was held at Tower Hall, Fatuada, on Wednesday.
Gender Equality Program Manager of International Plan in Timor-Leste, Eta Kota said that the purpose of this dialogue is to accumulate experience between the old generation and the new generation.
“The main purpose of this dialogue is that we want to hear and share experiences with each other based on each generation that the old generation and the current generation, besides sharing experiences we also want to observe their strategies about how to fight, and also important learning like what can be learned by a new generation from the old generation.” Eta Mota said to journalists at the Tower Hall
This dialogue is more focused on young people including students from universities and women who involve in political parties, potential women, and also in this activity speakers who have the experience of fighting such as veteran KASIAN, Milena Pires as women involved in political life and ativist Juvita Perreira, so they can accumulate thinking between the new and old generation
She said, now women’s involvement was maximal, but it was necessary to increase several gaps.
“We see that sometimes we use a patriarchal system where women do not have enough opportunities, but want to say how women have unity to help and support each other, therefore women can walk forward, because strong countries must have good work between men and women. I see that now there are many women involved in the economy, we see that most employees are women who are good in the business section.” She said
She continued that the International Plan itself made many activities in the economic section, which collaborated with young people to make loans for money and save money, make businesses in the agricultural section and also teach about business management related to marketing.
The project itself first focuses on three municipalities such as Aileu, Ainaru and Manufahi so that in the future it will also see in other municipalities.
As Executive Director of Women with Disabilities Hopes Association in Timor-Leste, Madalena da Costa expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this Dialolgu where involving young girls and women with disabilities to give ideas with each other to act to make decisions.
“We see most of the time, especially in young girls and women in making decisions because only men who have this right, women continue to be left behind, but we are grateful because now our government is starting to promote women to provide opportunities for women in making decisions and involving in political life.” She revealed
Because now the President of the National Parliament is led by women and there are several institutions that are also led by women, and also in the organization of women with disabilities are also led by women, therefore there is a change to promote women and declare that women and men have the same rights.
She informed, through observation as a woman with disabilities noting that women’s participation will be reduced in various sectors.
“Especially in the economic field and political life, because some politicians say that the lack of women’s resources and women do not have rights, but now women begin to fight harder and women with disabilities also begin to fight so that in the future women and men can have the same rights what we call gender equality, we see that there is a change in the struggle of women, especially in economic and national politics.” She said
She also encouraged women, especially young women and women with disabilities so as not to get tired of studying, fighting and trying because everyone has rights, has a law, that means do not leave anyone behind.
Including women and men, children and women with disabilities have the same rights so they may not lose the opportunity to remain brave in fighting for change.
Reported by : Estefania
Photo : Estefania