Dili, December 10, 2024 (Média Democracia) – Fokupers together with World Vision Timor-Leste and Hopes Enclave Oe-Cusse Foundation (FEEO) held a public dialogue activity with the theme, “Together we prevent and stop violence against women to promote gender equality and guarantee women’s human rights through economic empowerment” which received financial support from the European Union.
World Vision Timor-Leste National Director, Jaret Berends said that World Vision Timor-Leste together with development partners such as FEEO, held this activity to share important information related to violence against women and children.
“World Vision Timor-Leste as an NGO that was founded on the basis of trust in Timor-Leste since 1995, at World Vision we recognize the importance of supporting gender-based violence against women and girls to be combated, then collaborate with other youth members to combat, change, and spread equality and inclusivity.” Said the Director of WVTL in his speech at the Delta Nova Hall, Dili.
In this project, more focus is on empowering women through increasing women’s knowledge to access commercial jobs, business people and access to the market. Young traders in the institution support the development of business people.
“I want to share knowledge with the participants to increase their insight, about gender-based violence, women’s and men’s rights, stopping the number of violence against women and men among minorities, it is not only the task of one woman but all parties must collaborate to eliminate violence against women and girls, also as an example to make changes in families and communities.” He said.
As Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Souza expressed her appreciation for the support and commitment of development partners in supporting these projects related to the promotion of gender equality and the prevention of violence against women and girls, as well as the financial institutions BNCTL, Kaebauk, and other institutions.
“A great commitment to free and release women from poverty through their financial activities to empower women in economic life, and also the local government needs to give them appreciation, because they are the front line in society to be the right role models in their villages when problems occur and they become role models for their communities to empower women.” She said.
S.E.I. continues to give appreciation to all entities because other activities also fill the 16th day in the activist violence action against women and girls which will end today.
“Civil society, ministries with full efforts to promote this activity, not only in Dili but also in the municipalities to share ideas to raise awareness on the importance of reducing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls and empowering women in the economic field in all sectors,” She said.
The 16-day campaign of activists against violence against women and girls is also an international campaign that Timor-Leste has participated in for a long time to take strong action and determination against violence against women and girls, from families, institutions and public places, to parents especially women and girls, vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities and the LGBTQI+ community.
Fokupers Executive Director, Domingas Afonso Amaral said today’s activity was to commemorate 16 days of activist against violence against women and girls in 2024 according to the theme that discusses the prevention and termination of violence against women and girls.
“We all know that our national theme for 16 days in 2024 is ‘together to prevent and stop violence against women and girls in Timor-Leste’ so in this scope, Fokupers collaborated with the organization World Vision Timor-Leste and FEEO which funded funds from the European Union, we managed to hold an activity called public dialogue.” Said the Executive Director of Fokupers
She said that the main target of this public dialogue activity was youth and teenagers in Dili, because youth are the main actors in the struggle to stop violence against women and girls and to empower women’s economy and fight for women’s rights.
“This public dialogue, most of them are young people, students and also various schools in Dili, so we are also not far from partners of interest such as national and international organizations, community leaders because we all know that they also have an important role in society to stop violence especially empower women and vulnerable people,” She said.
She added that important subjects that need to be collaborated on in this activity are the economic empowerment of women, vulnerable communities and survivors.
“Because we all know that when a woman gets economic empowerment, she also starts to contribute to the development of this country, especially starting to contribute to peace in her family, they can send their children to school, can earn income to develop this country and also create seeds that can encourage gender equality.” She continued.
Fokupers has sufficient funds to implement the program for three years, during the 16-day campaign Fokupers continues to conduct socialization through delivering positive messages on social media, seminar activities, holding bazaars and other activities that play a role such as handling violence against women and girls.
Reported by : Estefania
Picture by : Estefania