The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Secretariat of State for the Promotion of Equality (SoSPI), celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8, at the Díli Convention Center with the theme “Participation of Youth in National Development towards the Future Transformation” in recognition of the collective work for the promotion of gender equality in Timor-Leste.

The Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said that it was “a great honor and a privilege to be here on the occasion of International Women’s Day, and have the opportunity to pay tribute to all Timorese women.”

He continued his speech by saying that “to speak about women in general necessarily involves making a very special reference to women who were born in Timor-Leste that have given a lot in favour of our beloved Nation. I believe that the Timorese woman is synonymous with courage and determination!

In addition to the important role that they have played in building our State, Timorese woman are driving  life in society. It is woman who take care of our homes, take care of our children and take care also, and increasingly, to the growth of our nation and the growth of our economy”.

The Head of Government commended the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality, Idelta Rodrigues, for her commitment and dedication on behalf of Timorese women and also for organising the initiative and congratulated “all the women present here on this special day which aims to put the woman in the place she occupies and deserves in society”.

Idelta Rodrigues, in her speech, spoke about the activities performed by SoSPI, in the area of promotion of gender equality during her time. According to Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality for the year 2007, SoSPI began planning its new structure and at the same time prepared the Decree of its Organic Law to identify the priority areas of work and study the for the strategic plan 2006 to 2011, adjusting it to the real situation of SoSPI according to the Timor-Leste context.

Idelta added that, earlier in the year 2009, SoSPI has established a joint team to review the draft Law against Domestic Violence, which was approved by the National Parliament in May 2010 and subsequently promulgated by the President. The Law against Domestic Violence aims to implement measures to prevent domestic violence and ensure the right support to the victim. Domestic violence is a public crime, provided for by law, which includes physical, sexual, psychological and economic actions and the State must take the necessary measures for its prevention.

Finally, the Secretary of State thanked the Association of Timorese Women Entrepreneurs and civil society for the support, collaboration and teamwork during this event. “Congratulations to all women in the world and especially to all Timorese women”, concluded Idelta Rodrigues.

In this ceremony SoSPI delivered awards to the Ministries and Secretariats of State for the creative way in which they implemented and approached the integrated gender strategy . The awards, Top Ten Record, were delivered to the MoAF, MoED, MoSS, MoE, MoJ, MoH, SoSFPE, SoSD, SoS, and SoSNR.