The Baucau Municipality Women’s Association is still without a permanent office from which to do their activities.
President Regina de Sousa, who is also a former Post Administrator, said the group currently used one of the office rooms at the Baucau Villa administrative post.
“All of our things are in the CFHD (Centre for Women’s Growth and Development) [office] because we still have no place,” she said at the Tower hall room in Fatuhada, Dili.
She said the association needed a proper place to meet and discuss initiatives to empower and encourage women to become more actively involved in the development process.
Since its establishment in 2015, the association has been working with the women’s parliamentary caucus and Patria to provide training and encourage women’s participation in the next elections.
President of the Manatuto municipality Women’s Association Clara de Carvalho Ximenes said all activities were run from her own home as the group also had no permanent office space.
She said members worked in full-time jobs from 8.30am until 5.30pm and used their free time on the weekends for association-related activities.
She said the association provided support and training to women, but more support was needed from other entities to improve the effectiveness of their activities and achieve equality for women.
