National Commission for Research and Timor-Leste Women History’s Elaboration (KNPEHTL) Coordinator Nuno Rodrigues says the commission will soon publish the book ‘Women’s Roles for National Liberty’.
He said the book took longer than anticipated to publish because it took time and cost money to complete.
He added the book was being edited to include some extra evidence, such as the outcome of conferences in the country.
“We will publish it in June due after data from the Popular Timorese women Organization (OPMT) has been finalised,” Coordinator Rodrigues said in Balide, Dili.
He continued that KNPHETL will keep gathering necessary data, such as the outcome of conferences within the country, by interviewing Falintil leaders.
He said writing of the book began in 2010 and was not yet finished as it was difficult to find evidencerelated to Timor-Leste’s struggle for independence.
OPMT Secretary Merita Alves acknowledged that it took a long time to write history books because it was different to writing novels.
She said OPMT, Timor-Leste’s first female organization, appreciated the state, government and resistance leaders’ support for the project which would ensurea new generation could know about women’s contributions, from the time of war to the present.
“OPMT has a moral responsibility to pass on to the new generation knowledge about Timorese women’s fight for national liberty,” she said.
Alves said even though this book would not please everyone, it would be a good aid for the new generation to learn about women’s contributions in history.
Timorese youth Agostina Sarmento said OPMT, as a Timorese women’s organization, was obligated to recount the history of women’s participation during the fight for freedom.
“I think it is a very interesting book to read and it makes us curious to know how women could participate in the struggle to contribute to independence,”she said.
