Dili, 30th June 2022: Nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide has been abused in their lifetime. This number is even higher in Timor-Leste, estimated at half of all women. Even though gender-based violence is still very common in Timor-Leste, the country has made considerable progress in the last few years. Among all countries in the world, Timor has gone from the 117th position in 2020 to the 63rd in 2021 in terms of gender equality, and is one of five countries that most improved gender equality during this period — considering occurrence of violence, labour participation, economic empowerment and political participation. However, much is still to be improved.

Stopping persistent violence towards women and girls implies adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches across policy, justice, health, and social sectors. This way, we can tackle its root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empower women and girls. The EU-UN Spotlight Initiative is pleased to launch the Spotlight Initiative Report in Timor-Leste on Gender Justice and the Law. The report contains a comprehensive analysis of Timor-Leste’s legal framework from a gender perspective, considering the local context and the international legal order for gender-based violence endorsed by the United Nations. 

The report further considers the institutional order for appropriate responses to gender-based violence and violence against children, as well as the main social and state obstacles related to violence and discrimination against women and girls in Timor-Leste. Within this context, the report specifically includes recommendations regarding the main legal gaps and respective comprehensive review of existing legislation and policy, particularly concerning the Penal Code of 2009, the Law against Domestic Violence of 2010, the Civil Code of 2011, and the Labour Code of 2012. 

“This report points out, among other issues, several legislative challenges, namely in the areas of Property Rights, Domestic Work, Cyber-Violence, Child Protection and that other pandemic that is Domestic Violence. Let this be a key moment of reflection, where we agree that enough is enough. That we agree that, as we meet here again today, many Timorese women still suffer violence out there, somewhere in this beautiful country. That we agree, ultimately, that ALL of us, at our different levels, together, with more resources, more partners and more political will, will continue to take seriously our responsibility to REALLY end violence against women and girls.”, said Andrew Jacobs, Ambassador of the European Union to Timor-Leste.

“The analysis of Timor-Leste’s legal framework through the lens of international standards for the protection of women’s and girl’s rights, contained in the report we are launching today, is yet another example of Timor-Leste’s commitment and effort towards striving for gender equality. This study and the related sub-products, like the color-coded summary, can serve as a roadmap for legislative actions and legal reforms to be spear headed by the National Parliament and the Government.”, said Lazima Onta-Bhatta, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Timor-Leste.

“Since Timor became independent, UNDP has played an important role in supporting the development of many areas, particularly related to justice. Today we keep cooperating and focusing more on inclusion and gender equality, because people are the center of development.” said Maria do Rosário Fátima Correia, Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion.

“The Members of the National Parliament play a fundamental role in ensuring legal reforms from a gender perspective and ensure the rights and freedoms for all woens and girls in Timor-Leste” said Aniceto Longuinhos Guterres Lopes, President of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste.

The launching event aims to introduce the findings and recommendations to Members of the National Parliament, representatives of the main government entities, as well as Civil Society Organizations working in gender equality and justice. 

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Spotlight Initiative, launched in September 2017, is a multi-year global partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. It represents an unprecedented global effort to invest in gender equality and women's empowerment as a precondition and driver for achieving sustainable development goals. 

In the Pacific, the situation is particularly worrying. In some countries in the region, 76 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Most affected are marginalised women and girls facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. 

In Timor-Leste, the Spotlight Initiative was launched on 5 March 2020. It is being implemented through five UN agencies (ILO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women), in support of the Government, and in close collaboration with the civil society, the World Health Organization (WHO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the UN Human Rights Advisor's Unit (HRAU).

The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative in Timor-Leste is that women and girls enjoy their right to a life free of violence, within an inclusive and gender equitable Timor-Leste. The programme is aligned to the Timor-Leste "National Action Plan on Gender based Violence (NAP GBV) (2017-2021)" and National SDG Roadmap. It contributes to the elimination of domestic violence/ intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) by responding to the needs of women and girls and addressing the underlying causes of violence against women and girls, using a multi-sectoral and intersectional approach across the ecological model. 

This involves strengthening and widening partnerships and solidarity across civil society, Government, media, private sector and development partners. The Initiative empowers individuals, equip institutions at national, sub-national and community levels with the policies, systems and mechanisms to prevent and respond to VAWG, and encourage the public to challenge harmful gender norms. Using innovative approaches, the Spotlight Initiative builds a social movement of diverse advocates and agents of change for gender equality and social inclusion. 

The Spotlight initiative deploys targeted, large-scale investments to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific. For more information about the Spotlight Initiative, visit https://spotlightinitiative.org .