Second Sergeant Julia da Costa of the Timorese Armed Forces F-FDTL the first international woman to graduate from Japan’s Military Academy.
She said since the academy was established 58 years ago no other international woman had attended Japan’s Military Academy and that Timor-Leste was the first country to send a woman to study at the academy.
“They did not have any other international women, only Japanese women. I am the first international international woman to join Japan’s Military Academy but currently there are two other women from Mongolia and from the Philippines,” said SG da Costa at the Defence Ministry, in Fatuhada, Dili.
She added it is rare for international women to attend Japan’s International Academy because of the strict selection criteria including proficiency in Japanese language.
During the four years at the academy in Japan SG da Costa learned about them military as well other other subjects. She majored in IT.
Reflecting on her achievement she said that family support was the most important factor. Two of her colleagues did not complete the training because they lacked family support.
The Secretary of State for the Promotion and Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women (SEM) Veneranda Lemos urged women in the F-FDTL to keep their motivation up and to keep trying because the law ensures they have the same opportunities as men.
“We are very proud because she graduated from Japan’s Military Academy. This woman is from Timor-Leste and is an example for other countries to follow,” said SE Lemos.
Meanwhile the Head of Human Resources of F-FDTL Captain Rui Soares said there is no discrimination among the members of the F-FDTL because all opportunities are opened to everyone but it is based on individual merit.
“They have the opportunity to attend the military academy but some of them failed because they did not have the support of their families,” said Captain Soares.
