Government of Timor-Leste

Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Dili, October 21st, 2016

Government officially launches National Action Plan for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security

On the 20^th of October the Government officially launched Timor-Leste’s National Action Plan for the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.  Resolution 1325 was passed unanimously by the United Nations in 2000 and encourages all Member States to include women in all processes for peace and security. To advance progress in the implementation of the resolution the United Nations Secretary General requires Member States to develop a national action plan.

At the launch of the National Action Plan at the Meeting Hall of the Ministry of Defence, Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo congratulated all involved in its development, highlighting the need for women to “have more space to actively participate in decision making” and expressing his hope that “the plan’s implementation would give more opportunity for women to participate in the future, working together with men for the development of our country”.

Minister of the Interior, H.E. Longuinhos Monteiro noted that in developing the National Action Plan Timor-Leste was showing its commitment as a United Nations Member State to Resolution 1325 and said that its implementation would help to achieve women’s rights in accordance with the Constitution and international treaties and conventions ratified and adopted by Timor-Leste.

The President of National Parliament’s Women’s Group, H.E. Josefa Alvares Soares MP, the Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, Mr. Eiji Yamamoto and the UN Women Deputy Country Representative Ms. Sunita Caminha also spoke at the launch. UN Women provided significant financial and technical support throughout the plan’s development.

Timor-Leste’s National Action Plan [2016-2020] sets out objectives and actions to be taken under four key pillars of Participation, Prevention, Protection and Peacebuilding. The plan was developed through a comprehensive and inclusive process and was approved by the Council of Ministers on the 26^th of April 2016. Timor-Leste is the third country in South East Asia to develop such a plan and now counts amongst the 63 countries globally to have taken this step.

The four pillars in the plan are the foundations for the promotion of women and girl’s rights to a life in peace and security, and the promotion of their equal and active participation and leadership in peacebuilding and development. The plan sets out activities to promote and guarantee women’s participation in all decision-making positions and processes including in the defence and security sectors, peacebuilding and development. It proposes concrete actions to review and change laws, policies and programs as a way to enhance women’s active and meaningful participation in all aspects of peace and statebuilding.

Implementation of the plan, led by the Ministry of the Interior, will place responsibilities on the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence and the Secretariat of State for the Support and Socio-Economical Promotion of Women. Civil Society Organizations will support the implementation of activities, advocate for resource allocation and participate in monitoring activities. A Steering Committee, four Thematic Working Groups and an Advisory Committee are also part of the implementation structure. For accountability, an Independent Shadow Monitoring Committee made up of Members of Parliament and NGO representatives will be established.

Government Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted “the Government fully supports the implementation of this plan with its activities to promote and guarantee women’s participation in decision making positions, especially in the areas of defence, security, peace building and development. As Timorese women benefit from these activities our nation will become stronger, our society more inclusive and our people increasingly empowered to participate in development.”ENDS