Members of Commission F and of the Parliamentary Women’s Group in the National Parliament (GMPTL) demanded the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality (SEPI), Idelta Rodrigues, justify why funds were slashed from the State Budget to support the CEDAW (Commission for the Eradication of Discrimination Against Women) Timor-Leste Committee in New York. 
Member of Commission F (Health, Education, Gender Equality and Veteran Affairs), MP Ilda Maria da Conceição, said a justification needs to be given for the slashing of the funds.
She said the funds are used to support the work of the Timor-Leste CEDAW committee in New York chaired by Mrs. Milena Pires.
“We hope the presence of Mrs. Milena Pires and SEPI in Parliament will clarify the situation so the MP’s from GMPTL can question this during the State Budget deliberations,” said MP da Conceição, in National Parliament.
She added funds for CEDAW are contained in the budget allocations to SEPI.
The Secretary of State for SEPI, Maria Rodrigues, said in the General State Budget for 2013 an allocation was made of $300,000 for CEDAW and $200,000 for SEPI.
She added SEPI did not cancel the funds but through a debate in the Council of Ministers a decision was made to cancel funds for CEDAW and instead use the funds to open a gender studies centre in country.
“SEPI discussed this issued at the Council of Ministers and the after debate the funds were axed and the money sent back to the State coffers,” said SE Rodrigues.
She said she is willing to provide justifications to Commission F of the National Parliament.
“We booked a meeting so we could come and justify to Commission F but GMPTL cancelled the meeting,” said also SE Rodrigues.
