Dili, September 24, 2024 (Média Democracia) – The United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the Secretary of State for Equality (SEI) organized a three-day seminar with the theme, “Hametin Ambiente Sistema Jestaun Kazu Violensia Bazeia Jéneru (VBJ) Iha Timor-Leste, (Strengthening the Environment for Gender-Based Violence Cases Management System in Timor-Leste). The seminar was held at the Delta Nova hall.
In his remarks at UNFPA, Domingas Bernardo, UNFPA Deputy Representative in Timor-Leste, said that he was very pleased to be able to participate in the opening session of the three-day seminar. The seminar was a follow-up to the Timor-Leste delegation to Portugal last year on strengthening the gender-based violence (GBV) case management system to ensure an effective and coordinated multi-stakeholder response to victims or survivors of VBJ cases.
“As we know that Gender Based Violence is a public health issue and a human rights violation in this country, Timor-Leste. The prevalence of violence against women and children (girls), based on the 2016 Timor-Leste Demographic and Health study, shows that 38% of women aged 15-49 years have experienced physical or sexual violence. Based on Nabilan’s 2015 study, it showed that 59% of women aged 15-49 years have experienced physical or sexual violence, this is a serious case and requires everyone’s attention and collaboration to respond to this issue or problem.” Said Domingas Bernardo
She continued, to respond and resolve this issue, Timor-Leste has made a lot of progress through the anti-Domestic Violence law in 2010 and developing or implementing the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence (PAN-VBJ) in 2012-2016, 2017-2021 and now we are still in the process of implementing PAN-VBJ 2022-2032. PAN-VBJ 2022-2032 this year, the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) has also approved the Standard Operating Procedure on management and coordination to support victims of gender-based violence. The development of the first SOP supported by UNFPA and the revision of the SOP that has just received approval support from the Asia Foundation.
‘The main objective of this seminar is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to strengthen coordination between VBJ referral networks, and also make advocacy, design and monitoring of VBJ cases based on international quality standards as an important foundation for developing VBJ focal points and VBJ service technical competence providers. This seminar will also contribute to the draft final report on the situation point (situation analysis) to strengthen the VBJ case management system in Timor-Leste which will also include a roadmap and action plan recommendations to continue strengthening the VBJ case management system in Timor-Leste at the national and municipal levels.” She said.
Celeste Ramos Martins Gonçalves as the National Director of Gender Equality Politics of SEI continued that this is a serious case and we all need to pay attention and work together to respond to this problem. To respond and resolve this problem, Timor-Leste has made significant progress through the law.
“Issuing the anti-domestic violence law in 2010. Developing and implementing the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence (PAN-VBJ) in 2012-2016, 2017-2021 and now still in the process of implementing PAN-VBJ 2022-2032. PAN-VBJ 2022-2032 has three important pillars such as, Prevention of Violence against women and girls, provision of essential services for women and girls who experience violence and support law and justice.” Said Celeste Ramos Martins
This year, the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) has also approved the Standard Operating Procedure on management and coordination to support victims of gender-based violence. Therefore, this seminar is very important to discuss the two pillars of implementation of PAN-VBJ related to strengthening the essence of service provision and more importantly strengthening the environment of the VBJ case management system. In addition, this seminar was attended by delegates consisting of representatives from SEI, MSSI, VPU Police, local NGOs (FOKUPERS) and UNFPA.
Reported by : Domingas
Photo : Domingas