The Director of Organization Caucus “Women in Politics” Paula Corte Real said from the first to the seventh government, no political party has given the opportunity for a woman to assume the brief of Minister of Defense and Security in Timor-Leste.
She said the issue has not been that women lack knowledge on issues of security and defense, but the leaders of political parties have failed to identity a good candidate.
She said many women have good knowledge of security and defense issues because they have been working in these sectors for many years.
“Talking about capacity, knowledge, and quality there is no difference between men and women. The leaders of the parties have not found the best person for the position,” she said in her office, in Kaikoli, Dili.
She hopes the new government will take into consideration this issue and given equal opportunity for a qualified woman to assume the role.
Meanwhile, women’s activist Laura Abrantes said there are two reasons as this is very sensitive. First party leaders find it difficult to entrust the position to a woman and second because of political reasons.
She added during the formation of the V Constitutional Government in 2012, Maria Domingas Alves “Micato” was nominated to become Minister of Defense and Security but her nomination was rejected by the President of Republic for unclear reasons.
“Many women are able and deserve the position, but we do not want to give them the opportunity not to acknowledged their ability,” she said.
On the other hand, Director Organization Young Women Movement (MOFFE), Yasinta Lujina hopes the new government will trust more women to assume key positions in the strategic areas such as Minister of Defense and Security, Minister of Planning and Finance and Minister of Infrastructure.
She added one challenge for women is because society and political leaders still think that these are jobs for men only.
“Slowly we will remove this thought that there are men’s areas,” she added.
She said experience has shown women tend to be places in the social sectors including as Minister of Health, Education, Social and Solidarity, and Finance, but some positions are still dominated by men, such as Minister of Defense and Security, Minister of State Administration and Minister of Infrastructure.
She added they are ready to give references to the political leaders especially about women with potential within the parties who can assume any position as needed.
