The Australian government made the commitment to continue supporting Timor-Leste in the areas of disability and reducing gender based violence in the future.
Vice Minister of Social Solidarity Jacinto Rigoberto recognized the Australian government’s support helped to take care of people with disabilities and victims of gender based violence, especially by promoting their rights in all sectors.
“The Minister for International Development’s visit to Timor-Leste shows Australia has a big commitment to continue supporting Timor-Leste, especially in the areas of disability and gender based violence,” said Vice Minister Rigoberto after accompanying the Australian Minister for International Development to PRADET.
He said from 2002 until now, the Australian government gave $1.6 million in financial support through the ETCAS program to victims of gender based violence and also gave $40,000 to support people with disabilities through the organization Assert.
The Vice Minister promised the government was preparing to ratify the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, because there are many people with disabilities in Timor-Leste.
The Australian Minister for International Development Melissa Parke said as neighbours it was important to visit to check Australian support is based on the priorities and needs of Timor-Leste.
Minister Parke recognized that in Australia, like in Timor-Leste, it’s difficult for people with disabilities to access places, especially for poor families.
Therefore she said the government and all people are obligated to help involve them in development, because development assistance won’t be effective if it doesn’t involve people with disabilities.
“I was happy to hear the Vice Minister say the government has a strong commitment to promote and involve people with disabilities in making decisions,” she said.
“He also said the government has plans to sign the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and I think this is a positive step for the government of Timor-Leste.”
She added the Australian government was preparing nominations for an ambassador of inclusive development, to pay specific attention to people with disabilities and to encourage donors to focus on the issue.
On the other hand, the Executive Director of the National Rehabilitation Centre Rui Manuel Exposto thanked Minister Parke for visiting them and listening to the difficulties the centre faces, as the Australian government supports the centre.
“They gave us support through AusAid, for example they gave us wheelchairs, so they would like to see how far our work extends,” he said.
