Ermera women are ready to contribute to the district’s pre-decentralization project, says Ermera Women’s Association president Maria da Costa Exposto.
Ermera has been chosen by the government to take part in a pilot decentralization project.
Exposto said Ermera women would work hard to prepare themselves to participate in the planning program, particularly in the area of decision making as women were also capable of taking on leadership roles.
She said she was ready to make her contribution to the government policy which would bring a better quality of life to rural women.
Exposto said she planned to nominate for election in the municipal elections in order to promote the rights and wellbeing of women.
She urged women to upskill themselves to take part in government programs rather than wait around to be included because of quotas.
“We want to compete on our own merits rather than having men giving priority to us. We want be selected because women are just as capable of being in decision-making roles,” she said
Women who take part in the program had the opportunity to bring rural women’s issues to light and inspire other women to influence those around them.
Ermera Vocal Women’s representative Maria Santina da Costa Tilman said citizens were obligated to make a contribution to their nation’s development but it was also dependent on party leaders to place their trust in women to lead.
“I am ready but it depends on the people who must trust me to compete in this program,” she said.
She thanked civil society groups which gave support to the program which has run in Aileu, Ermera and Liquisa.
Secretary of State for Administrative Decentralization Tomas do Rosario Cabral said those three districts were chosen for their close proximity to Dili, meaning budget control was easier.
He said the process to recruit district managers was underway in those districts.
“The Manager is not been recruited by us but is selected by the district Permanent Technical group which then sends the recommendations to the national level and the Council of Ministers,” he said.
