03 June 2012

Adoption of the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence by the Council of Ministers

REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE

SECRETARIA DE ESTADO PARA A PROMOÇÃO DA IGUALDADE

GABINETE DA SECRETÁRIA DE ESTADO



Press Release


30 May 2012



Adoption of the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence by the Council of Ministers


At an extra-ordinary session of the Council of Ministers held on 29 May 2012, the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence, presented as part of draft Resolution by Her Excellency the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality, Mrs Idelta Maria Rodrigues, was adopted. This same Resolution also provides for the establishment of an ‘Inter-Ministerial Commission’, consisting of key line ministries and members of civil society, which will oversee the coordination and monitoring of the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence.


The development of the National Action Plan (‘NAP’) has been led by the Office of the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality, in accordance with its responsibilities under Article 13 of the Law Against Domestic Violence, with technical support from a multi-sector national drafting Committee, UNFPA, UN Women and funding from the Spanish Cooperation through its MDG Achievement Fund on “Supporting Gender Equality and Women’s Rights in Timor-Leste.”


The development of the NAP has also focused heavily on broad consultation with stakeholders, in order to ensure support and build ownership from the various ministries, government institutions, service providers and civil society actors, who are necessary for the successful implementation of the Plan. Through consultation processes, stakeholders were given the opportunity to identify specific roles, coordination mechanisms and seek commitment of partners, laying the groundwork for the effective implementation of the NAP.


This National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence is Timor-Leste’s first multi-sectoral approach to addressing gender-based violence and it identifies short and long-term goals for the next three years and how state institutions, civil society and development partners will work together in the education, social services, justice, security and health sectors, to reach these goals. It outlines the strategic areas of focus, spheres for mutual collaboration and improved mechanisms for coordination, monitoring and evaluation.


Through this Plan, the Government seeks to prevent gender-based violence in its different forms, including domestic violence, address the needs of its victims and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

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