The Secretariat of State for the Promotion of Equality (SSPE), in collaboration with the Indonesian Center for Independent Training in Maritime Areas, Fisheries and Agriculture (Pusat Pelatihan Mandiri Kelautan, Perikanan dan Pertanian Indonesia) enabled a three-day training session, from the 14th to the 17th of June, for a group of women from the Mehara suco, in the Tutuala sub-district, district of Lautém, about the manufacture of pineapple juice and marmalade.
The representative of the administrator of the Tutuala sub-district, Julio Canto, said at the official opening session: “This training is very important for the women in Mehara, because this location has a large annual production of pineapples. If this product is not sold, the leftovers will serve as food for the animals. Therefore, it is necessary to empower the women so that they themselves may later ensure the management of their group and manufacture pineapple juice, marmalade and sweets for export. “
“The implementation of this program is not the responsibility of the Secretariat of State for the Promotion of Equality, but it is its duty to support the women in organizing and maintain sustainable family economies”, defended the SSPE representative, Henrique da Silva.
On this same occasion, the representative for the Indonesian Center for Independent Training in Maritime Areas, Fisheries and Agriculture, Maria Gigi, drew attention to the fact that there is a large consumption of imported drinks, when Timor-Leste has several local products which can be transformed and consumed. She also appealed to the participants, to seize this opportunity, because later on, they shall become the trainers of other trainees”.