Political training organization Patria has expressed disappointment over the government’s decision not to include women in the nominations for new administrators.
Executive Director Laura Pina said it was disappointing women had been excluded from the process.
“We are very disappointed because we work harder [and] provide training to women, but for political reasons women are not included in the nominations,” she said at a national workshop in Dili on strengthening women’s leadership and participation in the 2017 elections.
According to Pina, there were previously two women in post administrative positions, but that had since changed.
She said that women deserved to be included as many had the ability, educational level and qualifications for the position.
In response to the issue, Minister of State Administration Dionisio Soares Babo said the women were not included in the nominations as they were deemed ineligible.
He said the Commission of Public Service was responsible for selecting the nominations and he was unable to intervene.
He explained that while the new nominations in this case were selected internally, an open recruitment process for the positions would begin in the next six months and female applicants would be considered.
Former Post Administrator for Baucau Vila Regina de Sousa was also disappointed that the selection process was not based on the people’s ability to do the job.
“As a Timorese, I suggest that it should be based on people’s ability and skills, and not to which group they belong to” she said.
De Sousa, who plans to apply when the recruitment process opens, said she was confident about her skills and previous administration experience.
