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Women’s Political Participation in Timor- Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor-Leste

Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

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Page 1: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste:

Challenges and Prospects

By Laura Soares Abrantes

APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor-Leste

Page 2: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Order of presentation:

Legal frameworkProgress in enforcing the gender quota systemRole of civil society (focus Rede Feto)Challenges and ProspectsRecommendations for Partnerships

Page 3: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Total Population: 1,066,498

Timor-Leste

Male 544,198 Female 522,211

Page 4: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Rede Feto Timor-Leste (24 members, all 13 districts)

St. Bahkita

OMT

FMH

FHAM

UNFETIP

AMST

PAS

ISMAIK

JURISTAS

ET-WAVE

Sagrada Familia

FPSH

Alola FoundationFokupersCaucusAPSCTLFKSHOPMTFEEOFHFFMFPradetHafotiGFFTL

Page 5: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Legal Framework

Timor -Leste ConstitutionArticle 16: Universality and Equality Article 17: Equality between men and womenArticle 46: Rights to partisipate in politicArticle 47: Rights suffrage Article 63: Partisipation in politic citizenship

Page 6: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Legal Framework

CEDAW (ratified in 2003), UDHR, SCR 1325.

Electoral lawNational Parliament Election Law

-No.6/2006

- No.7/2011

Suco (village) Election Law

Municipality Law

Page 7: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Legal Source Details

Quota type:Legislated Candidate Quotas

Electoral law (approved in 2006, amended in 2011)

On electoral lists, one out of every group of three candidates must be a woman (Law on Election, Article 12 [3]).

Legal sanctions for non-compliance:

Electoral law The list will be rejected (Law on Election, Article 12 [3]).

Rank order/placement rules

Electoral law On electoral lists, one out of every group of three candidates must be a woman (Law on Election, Article 12 [3]).

Page 8: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Draft Electoral Municipality Law, article 11: paragraph 3: The candidate lists, effectives and substitutes, for Municipality parliamentary should include in a group of 3 candidates at least one female.

Page 9: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Decree Law Pre-Deconsentration

Organic Statute Pre-Deconcentration Adminis-trative:article 13: Nomination Process, paragraph 3: THE CANDIDATE LIST SHOULD INCLUDE AT LEAST

ONE FEMALE IN A GROUP OF 3 CANDIDATES FOR THE NOMINATION OF DISTRICT MANAGER.

Page 10: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Progress made in the Implementation of the Gender Quota System

Page 11: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Percentage of women candidates in 2012 Presidential Election

15%

85%Feto

Mane

Page 12: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Total votes for women candidates in 2012 Presidential Election

RankNo Name candidate Total

vote %

6 Maria Do Céu Lopes da Silva

1,843 0.40%

7 Angelita Maria Pires 1,742 0.37%

Page 13: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

% of women-led vs. men-led political parties

Page 14: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

27% 38%

25.20%

Page 15: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Total Candidates (Women & Men) for Parliament Election 2012 :

Total Number of Candidates

Women

% Man %

1,908 679 35.59 1,229 64.41

Page 16: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

% Women Candidates Compared with % Men Candidates:

Page 17: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Pozisaun Eleisaun Konsellu Suku 2004- 2009

Númeru Persentajen Númeru Persentajen

Xefe Suku 7 2 % 11 2 %

Xefe Aldéia 22 1 % 37 2 %

Reprezentante Ferik

2 0,4 % 6 1 %

Reprezentante Feto

1,347 19 % 1,379 28 %

Total 1,378 1,433

Page 18: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste
Page 19: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste
Page 20: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Total Members NP : 65 personsWomen: 25; Man: 40; Composition of National Parliament

Table: -President (male) -2 Vice Presidents (male) - 1 Secretary and 2 Vice Secretaries

(3 female)

Page 21: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste
Page 22: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Programs, Projects and Activities that facilitated the Increase of Women’s Participation in the Election 2012

Pre Election Advocacy for amendment the Electoral LawDialogue with political parties Trainings on transformative leadership and public speaking for women in political partiesConferences and Workshops

Public debates through the media (district and national)

Page 23: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Election period:Civic educationVoter education and motivating women to go

out and voteCampaign for women candidatesCapacity-building for Polling staffMarch for peaceTogether with the international community

women served as observers of the election processes

Programs, Projects and Activities that facilitated the Increase of Women’s Participation in the Election 2012

Page 24: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Post Election:

Dissemination of election resultsStrengthen women knowledge and capacity in their role as legislatorsAction plan for the coming elections: (municipal 2014; village 2015; general

election 2017)

Page 25: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

GOVERNMENT

Total Government Positions (top): 55 Man=45

Women=10: - 2 female ministers

- 4 vice female ministers - 4 female Secretaries of State

Page 26: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

% Women in Government compared to Men:

18%

82%

Feto

Mane

Page 27: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Challenges

Patriarchal system is still very strong and pervasive especially in far-flung communities;

Formal & traditional systems place limits on women’s full participation Mindset that women cannot do the job (true to both women and men)

Page 28: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Challenges

Low level of education among the majority of Timorese women narrows down our options in choosing candidates;

Political parties comply with the gender quota but place women in the third slot which prevents women from taking seats in the parliament in cases when political parties acquire limited percentage of votes (3%=1 seat);

Page 29: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

FACTS AND EVIDENCE THAT SHOW GENDER DISCRIMINATION

IN ACTUAL ADMINISTRATION LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Source: NOG Pátria.September– October 2013.

Page 30: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

13 Districts Administrators are Male dominated

Page 31: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

12 Male Deputy Administrator, 1 Female.

Page 32: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

63 Male Sub-districts Administrators, 2 Female

Page 33: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

11 Male Directors SAIM (Secretariado de Apoio ao Instalação de Municipio), 2 Female

Page 34: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

431 Male Suco Chefs, 11 Female

Page 35: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

In preparation for the municipal (2014), village (2015), and General Election (2017):•more concerted and systematic effort by government and civil society •programmatic leadership formation for target women candidates;•aggressive advocacy to political parties to enlist women in higher slots in the candidates list base on merit;

Page 36: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

•Widen scope for voters education and motivating women to go out and vote;•Continue with programs and projects that aim to promote gender equality and transform patriarchal system;•Advocate for increased women’s participation in education to improve capacity to run for elective positions in the long-term;

Page 37: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Continue Strong Advocacy at Local Government

Approach with 13 local government;Approach and seek for the information access from

13 SAIM (Secretariado de Apóio ao Instalação de Municipio);

Mobilize resources to include the candidate list for potential women for district Manager from 65 sub-districts;

Up-date regular information to women in 13 districts;

Identify and empowering women to compute for the structure of pre – deconsentration administrative in 65 sub-districts. The time is limited because the structure of pre-deconsentration will start be in force in: 1/1/2014.

Page 38: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

2. REALITY !!!

1. Depends on the national mobilization;

2. Still lack of interest to seek information in SAIM / district/local administration;

3. Lack of effort to participate in the forum discussion on decentralization at district & national level. (depends on total official invitation);

4. Women themselves – their interest / priority / preference;

5. Lack of attention from GTGN + SEPI FP + GTGD!!!

Page 39: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

There are some efforts have been doing by the partners during 2013, to empowering women’s participation in the process of decentralization.

Women´s group discussion during public consultation in 10 districts (Patria 10); (SEPI, Caucus, APSCTL, UNWOMEN 5)

Page 40: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

NGO Pátria had been conducted program ‘Strength Women’s Participation in Decentralization Process & also in Development

Local Agenda in 13 districts (September & October 2013).

Page 41: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

NGO Pátria with UNWOMEN conducted a National workshop, then advocate to the National Parliament

Page 42: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

The establishment of working group for gender perspective analyzing of the DAPL policy draft.

Page 43: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

NEED ALIIED TO BE UNITED TO CONDUCT EMPOWERING

PROGRAM FOR WOMEN IN 13 DISTRICTS TO STRENGHTEN

WOMEN’S ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.

Page 44: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

- Research work to strengthen advocacy work/database of researches conducted in Timor Leste- Capacity building- Exchange program- Information Exchange

Page 45: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

NGO Feto (Caucus, together with all members of Rede Feto), NGO Pátria need to conduct training program for empowering women to get strong ability and could contributed in local development.

Council Ministers,SEDA,SEPI,Ministry Estatal,President Gender working group in 13

Districts.

Page 46: Women’s Political Participation in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Prospects By Laura Soares Abrantes APSC-TL, Member of Rede Feto Timor- Leste

Obrigada barak! Kmanek wain basu! Thank you!