The Women and Peace Leadership Centre (WPL) of the National University of Timor-Lorosa’e UNTL aims to prepare young women to becoming productive and competent leaders of the future.
The WPL is under the Institute for Peace, Conflict and Social Studies (Peace Centre) at UNTL. The Director Institute, Dr. Antero Benedito da Silva, said the program was necessary because many young women are victims in Timorese society.
“I hope that after ten years young women, through the WPL, become good leaders for this nation. They might become village chiefs, administrators, department chiefs and they will be able to better serve society,” said Director da Silva at the UNTL Campus in Kaikoli, Dili.
The WPL Centre was established in 2012 to provide training and capacity building for women on Leadership, English and Portuguese language training, Administrative training and to hold dialogue among young women of various backgrounds and from other universities on women issues including also how to conduct research.
Director da Silva added currently 30 female students are assisting two Portuguese researchers provide training about human rights issues and also assisting two Japanese students with their research.
According to a report published by NGO Search for Common Ground (SFCG), on young women’s participation in capacity building programs about conflict resolution to contribute for peace building organized by civil society organizations and the government, their participation is 27 percent less compared to men’s 37 percent. The report also states some 22 percent of young women say they find it hard to attend any civic activities.
Meanwhile the Executive Director of SFCG, José Vicente de Sousa, said SFCG-TL is interested to look into women’s inclusion in peace building activities and the challenges women face that prevent them from becoming leaders.
“SFCG will try harder to increase women’s participation by creating relevant programs that encourage them in attending these programs,” said Director de Sousa.
He added SFCG will work together with schools, churches, local leaders and political parties to increase youths’ participation, especially young women’s participation in peace building activities at the local level.
