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“Unite To End Violence Against Women” is the theme marking a series of programmes and activities to commemorate the International Women’s Day 2009 in Timor-Leste. Violence against women is a social menace. That was the message given by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Atul Khare at a high-level meeting honouring the global day for women at Obrigado Barracks in Dili on 9 March 2009. “It does not permit fifty percent of our humanity acting both as individuals or a group to play their meaningful and critical, important role in the economic, political and social development of the world they own,” said Khare. The Special Representative urged community leaders, civil society members and staff of the United Nations in Timor-Leste to fight, protest against and stop violence. The event brought together Kirsty Sword Gusmao, Chairperson of the Alola Foundation, Ana Pessoa, Member of Parliament and Alfredo Pires, Acting Secretary of State for Promotion of Equality as members of the panel. In his message Pires reiterated the government’s commitment to the agenda of promoting equality and justice for women, indicating a strong focus to push for gender-sensitive legislation this year. Set to be approved by the Council of Ministers is the Criminal Code. It is slated to be passed before early April if the legislation is not to revert to the Indonesian Penal Code. Included in the legislation is the proposed article on circumstances when abortion is not punishable. Talks of amending the law to consider exceptions for victims of rape and incest have met with opposition from the Church in this primarily Catholic country. Pires informed that further consultation is expected between the Minister of Justice, members of the Church, civil society and the courts on Wednesday. Also present for the conference were recipients of UNMIT International Women’s Day Awards. The tributes were given to individuals and organizations who contributed significantly to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. Alola Foundation, Rede Feto, FOKUPERS (Women’s Communication Forum), and AMKV (Association of Men Against Violence) among others, were winners of the awards. Akara, co-founder of AMKV that works with men on gender issues and gender-based violence stressed the importance of the Criminal Code and the rights of women to decide on abortion. “Women’s rights are human rights. To compromise means to compromise women’s rights. To compromise is political. Human rights are fundamental,” said Akara. He noted that it is only when the relevant laws are in place that the mind of the people can be changed. “If people do not obey the law then they would be criminals,” the founder of AMKV pointed. Acceleration of the legal framework would also mean the adoption and implementation the Domestic Violence Law, according to the Secretary of State. Targeted for the second quarter of 2009, the law contains specific wording and definition on domestic violence that addresses issues relating to the prevention of violence, support and shelter for victims. The United Nations in its mandate continues to work with the government and non-governmental sector in Timor-Leste.
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