Government of Timor-Leste

The Ministry of Social Solidarity, through the National Directorate of Social Development (DNDS), in particular the Women's Protection and Promotion Department, celebrated International Women's Day (March 8^th) with the theme “Be courageous to transform women’s work in all sectors”. The Vice Minister of Social Solidarity, Miguel Marques Gonçalves “Manetelu”, recalled that this initiative was carried out by the women of the MSS, to celebrate the International Women's Day. A reflection was made on the involvement of women in the State building process, namely in that public institution, evaluating how to transform services where women are working.

Miguel “Manetelu” challenged the MSS women to apply for leadership positions: “In this Ministry, there are many leadership positions, but there are only six women as Heads of Department and Directors. To fill those positions, everyone must compete.”

He recalled that Timorese women have shown their leadership skills, since our ancestors’ times. In some areas, women have taken the place of liurai, even though tradition limits their participation in decision-making, both within the family and the community. Also in the Liberation Struggle, women were courageous against the invaders, since the invasion, in 1975.

The representative of MSS officials, Antónia Carmen da Cruz, stressed that “International Women's Day reminds us of women’s struggle for equality in the family, in the workplace, in the economic life and also in culture. Women continue to fight for the right of equality, it is a long struggle. "

Antónia Carmen da Cruz stressed that every year, on this day, we recall those women who do not know how to write and read and who have an insufficient economy. This struggle will continue until Timorese women, who make up half the population, can live with the same quality and dignity as men.

This activity was held in the Hall of the MSS building, in Caicóli, Dili. The General Director for the Social Protection of the Former Combatants of the National Liberation (PSACLN), Eugénio João Amado de Maria Soares, the National Director for Social Development, Florenço Pina Dias Gonzaga, the National Director for the Contributory Scheme for Social Security, Aida Maria Mota, Heads of Department, as well as national and foreign advisors attended this celebration.