APSN | Timor-Leste celebrates International Women's Day

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Timor-Leste celebrates International Women's Day

Judicial System Monitoring Programme Press Release - March 8, 2016

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On 8 March 2016, Timor-Leste celebrates International Women's Day. This is an important day where we acknowledge the contribution of Timorese women and women from other countries and the challenges they face in achieving gender equality.

The theme of celebration for this year's International Women's Day is "PLANET 50:50: ACCELERATING GENDER PARITY", and the national theme is "TOGETHER LET US STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN GENDER PARITY IN TIMOR-LESTE."

The central topic of this year's celebration aims to achieve gender parity, to end discrimination against women and to ensure women's equal opportunity and equal participation in all aspects of day-to-day life.

"The State of Timor-Leste, through the relevant government institutions, has done its best to develop women and to encourage their participation in all fields. However, there are still many women and children who continue to struggle to break the cycle of domestic violence, sexual violence and a range of other forms of discrimination that they face," said the Executive Director of JSMP, Luis de Oliveira Sampaio.

The celebration of this important day is an opportunity to examine and review developments in relation to equality that have been achieved at the local and national levels and to encourage protection for women and children against all forms of violence. This celebration is a way we can comply with our constitutional obligations and our obligations under international norms that have been ratified by the state of Timor-Leste.

JSMP notes that many women and children have experienced trauma, and have lost their future because they have been subjected to many forms of violence and violations committed by their families. Circumstances and conditions like this are the result of cultural practices, and are obstacles to building a culture of equality in our society.

JSMP makes these statements based on the results of routine monitoring activities carried out in the four district courts across the entire jurisdiction of Timor-Leste, which show that many cases of domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual abuse against minors and incest continue to be tried in all courts.

JSMP values the State's efforts to establish range of policies to promote gender equality, and legislative policies to protect women and children from violence. Nevertheless, JSMP encourages all institutions to continue to work towards developing a culture of equality in society. JSMP hopes that the celebration of International Women's Day is not just a ceremonial act, but a collective and institutional commitment to combat violence against women and girls in Timor-Leste

In relation to this celebration, JSMP would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the women of the world, especially the women of Timor-Leste who have the spirit to continue to struggle to defend the rights of their fellow women.

For more information please contact:

Luis de Oliveira Sampaio
Executive Director of JSMP

E-mail: luis@jsmp.minihub.org
Telefone: 3323883
info@jsmp.minihub.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/timorleste.jsmp
Twitter: @JSMPtl

Source: http://www.jsmp.tl.