Women’s representative from Ainaro District called on the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality (SEPI) to establish Timorese Women Organization Centers (OMTC) in all districts so women can hold regular activities given that currently there are no such spaces.
The representative, Alvina dos Reis Araujo said often they hold activities and programs for women but they don’t have adequate spaces to hold these gatherings.
“We call on SEPI to establish the OMT centres in all districts where we can meet otherwise it is difficult for women to hold activities,” said representative dos Reis during a workshop organized by NGO IRI to listen to the concerns of the population in Ainaro district.
In response to this matter the Secretary of State for SEPI, Idelta Maria Rodrigues said SEPI shares the same lack of facilities in the districts.
“We are thinking that this year we will establish Gender centres in a couple of districts as pilot projects, to determine whether the centres are effective in the community,” said SE Rodrigues.
She added the aims of the centre’s establishment is to facilitate women’s groups and so women can meet each other and to hold programs and the activities that support women in the rural areas. The centres are expected to also prepare women towards participation in the Decentralization program of the Government.
