16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – Lead for Gender Equality and Promote Elimination of Gender-Based Violence Workshop 

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign commencing on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day, highlighting that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide. The campaign was launched by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991, and has since mobilized individuals and organizations, including the United Nations and partners worldwide to advocate for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG). 

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violation in the world. Globally, an estimated 736 million women—nearly one in three—have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives. In the past year alone, 1 in 8 women and girls aged 15-49 has faced intimate partner violence. If there is no accelerated action, 9 million girls will still marry in childhood by the year 2030. Globally, over 230 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation, representing a 15% increase—or 30 million more girls and women—compared to data from eight years ago. In Timor-Leste, according to the DHS 2015, 33% of women, aged 15-49, have ever experienced physical violence since age 15. 29% of women, aged 15-49, experienced physical violence in the last 12 months (2015). 5% of women, aged 15-49, have ever experienced sexual violence. Vulnerable groups, and particularly gender minorities, are at higher risk of suffering domestic violence. A study in Timor-Leste, conducted in 2017,¹ showed that violence and discrimination committed by family members to LGBTIQ+ family members is systemic, including physical violence.  

Lead for Gender Equality and Promote Elimination of Gender-Based Violence Workshop 

The ‘Strategy Plan of the National Police of Timor-Leste (2023-2030)’ envisions a transformative change in policing. The National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) strives to maintain peace, security and stability in Timor-Leste by upholding the rule of law and providing professional, inclusive and gender-responsive services to protect the rights and freedoms of all individuals across the nation. The PNTL will launch its second-generation ‘Gender Strategy (2024-2028)’ in November 2024, placing gender equality at the forefront of the organizational missions and aligning seamlessly with the overarching strategic goals set forth in the Strategy Plan of the PNTL (2023-2030). 

Under the second generation of the ‘Gender Strategy (2024-2028)’, the PNTL is committed to address barriers to the promotion and recruitment of female police officers and advance women’s empowerment and representation within the security force, and promote transformative attitudes and norms towards gender equality within the institution. The Gender Strategy also seeks to promote gender-responsive policing services to meet women’s and men’s distinct security needs, and increase institutional capacity of the PNTL to prevent and respond to gender-related crimes in the community including GBV.  

To mark the start of 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, the PNTL Gender Equality and Inclusion Cabinet, in partnership with UN Women and the Timor-Leste Police Development Program (TLPDP), will jointly organize a training workshop on gender equality and women’s rights, GBV prevention and response, with a group of Gender Focal Points and police officers from the Secção de Apoio a Pessoas Vulneráveis (Support for Vulnerable Persons Section) from 13 municipalities and Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno. The 3-day training workshop will be held from 20 – 22  November 2024, at the PNTL Training Center in Comoro, Dili. 

Objectives of Training Workshop 

The objectives of the training workshop are as follows: 

• To equip the PNTL Gender Focal Points and DAPV staff with knowledge and skills to take part in the nation-wide PNTL 16 Days of Activism against GBV Campaign, and promote gender equality, women’s rights, and GBV prevention and response in their respective communities across 13 municipalities and Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno. 

• To enhance knowledge of the PNTL Gender Focal Points and DAPV staff to understand GBV and its related law and policies, and to increase their knowledge on the referral pathway of essential services for survivors of violence. 

• To introduce the PNTL Gender Strategy and to increase awareness of its major priorities and interventions to promote gender equality and women’s leadership within the institution, and strengthen institutional capacity in preventing and responding to GBV.