SEPI prepares women for political life
On July 14, 2011, the Secretariat of State for the Promotion of Equality (SoSPE) held a meeting for women at national level, addressing the theme "Lessons for Women on Political Life" where themes such as national and international legal instruments that ensure the Women's Rights were discussed. The aim is to inform women of their rights about a potential participation in political life.
"As everyone knows, the electoral law has already passed and Timor-Leste is already preparing for the 2012 elections. This meeting aims to bring together national representatives from the 13 districts, in particular members of the suco council, and women who have the potential to prepare and represent gender at the national and community level, by sharing experiences and developing strategies with the goal of producing a plan that ensures the election of women to Parliament in 2012" said the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality, Idelta Rodrigues.
On this occasion, the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, highlighted the importance of the meeting, since the 2012 elections are at our doorstep. The President said that this shows many things, that society has, in recent years, managed to reach democratic and political maturity and trhe ability to ensure peace and unity in this country,
Ramos-Horta recalled that it is the voter’s responsibility to pay attention to the political parties and elect candidates with quality, and to involve women in this process. So, he suggested, to consider women with credibility, authority, fighters with capacity and other competencies so that they may, with representation in parliament, have executive power and serve the people with competence and integrity.
The Coordinator of the Spanish Cooperation in Timor-Leste, Javier José Claviño Pazos, said that Paz y Desarollo – Peace and Development (PyD) is at the present moment, implementing a regional project to promote gender equality in political participation. It’s aims, in Timor-Leste, is to promote the participation of women in political and civil life, at the suco level, providing support to members of the suco council, both male and female, in their daily activities, identifying and accompanying women with their rights to participate in future elections.
Participating in the meeting were the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, the Attorney General, Ana Pessoa, the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality, Idelta Rodrigues, the President of the Group of Parliamentarians Women for Timor-Leste, Josefa Pereira, the Paz y Desarrollo representative in Timor-Leste, members of the suco council, suco representatives in the districts, donors and national and international NGOs.
