Lafaek News- Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Masami Kinefuchi said in his speech, The Japanese Government partnered and worked with UN Women and Timorese Government in successfully completing the 2.8 million USD project that namely “The Project for Enhancing Women’s Meaningful Leadership and Participation in State-building and Development in Timor-Leste”.

“Today we are celebrating the completion of a very important project; “The Project for Enhancing Women’s Meaningful Leadership and Participation in State-building and Development in Timor-Leste”. This 2.8 million US dollar project was financed by the Japanese Government and was successfully implemented by UN Women over the last four years,” Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Masami Kinefuchi said in his speech at Japanese embassy in Dili on Tuesday (10/11/2020)

Mr. Ambassador added, The Japanese Government partnered with UN Women, because they have long time experience here and expertise in this field. They also worked together with the Government of Timor-Leste and Civil Societies to implement this project.

“I would like to thank all the people involved for their dedicated work. The main objectives of this project are to support the implementation and monitoring of Timor-Leste’s “National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security”, developed in response to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, as well as to promote empowerment of men and women regarding the gender equality advocacy,” said Mr. Masami

It was in 2016 when H.E. Taur Matan Ruak (then President) visited Japan, that our Government agreed to provide finance for this project, as it was responding to Japan’s policy priority on creating a society where “all women shine” that our Prime Minister attached a great importance

“Our decision also intended to support Timorese Government’s efforts to realize “a gender-free society where human dignity and women’s rights are valued, protected and promoted”, as stated in its “Strategic Development Plan” formulated in 2011. Through this project, I understand that UN Women provided a number of training sessions and workshops in order to promote the National Action Plan and women’s leadership and participation in the decision-making processes, and also to prevent gender-based violence,” added Ambassador

According to UN Women, wonderful achievements are made; about half of the goals stated in the National Action Plan have already been achieved. Various gender-related laws and regulations, including “PNTL Gender Strategy” have been established.

Also, through this project, the Civil Societies responded to more than 500 violence cases per year, thus contributing greatly in reducing the violence.

“I have not received the final report of this project yet, but I hope and I am sure that the report will make it clear that this project had a big impact and contributed greatly to achieving the goals. It is my wish that this Japanese Government’s support adds momentum to the implementation of Timor-Leste’s National Action Plan towards creating a gender-equal society where there is no domestic violence and both men and women can thrive,” concluded he

Press Release