PH Embassy in Dili Holds Seminar on Elimination of Violence Against Women for Filipinos in Timor-Leste
The Philippine Embassy in Dili, together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), conducts a seminar on the eliminitaion of violence for the Filipino Community in Timor-Leste on 23 November 2019. (Dili PE photo)
DILI 13 December 2019 – As part of its Gender and Development (GAD) Program for 2019 and in conjunction with the observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (VAW), the Philippine Embassy in Dili, in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through its Services and Assistance for Migrants and Migrant Workers Office, jointly conducted a seminar on ending of Violence Against Women (VAW), Migrants Rights, and Human Trafficking for the Filipino Community in Timor-Leste, at the Timor Plazafrom on 23 November 2019.
In his opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Abdulmaid K. Muin emphasized the importance of awareness, specifically among Filipino women in Timor-Leste, to combat and properly address gender-based violence and human trafficking of female migrant workers. As the victims are more likely women and girls, the need to at least equip them with vital information and efficacious precautionary measures are of paramount importance.
The current IOM Counter Trafficking Senior Project Assistant and Resource Person/Facilitator Jacinto Amaral was assisted in the conduct and facilitation of the Seminar discussions by officers and staff of the Embassy. The latter also shared valuable insights to the attendees.
Mr. Amaral first discussed migration in general and then in the context of Timor-Leste and its risks and benefits to economic development. He also summarized local migration policies and regulations, laws upholding migrants rights, human trafficking in the global, regional and Timor-Leste perspectives and gender-based-violence whether in the domestic or work setting.
Mr. Amaral pointed out the sincerity of Timor-Leste government in addressing the problem with its incorporation of the protection of women’s rights in the 2009 Criminal Code, promulgation in 2010 of the Law against Domestic Violence and the launching of the 2nd National Action Plan against gender-based-violence in 2017. As to human trafficking, he encouraged everyone affected or victimized to cooperate with proper authorities so us to help curb this serious crime against humanity.
After the discussion/presentation by the resource person, an open forum followed where participants were actively engaged the speaker and embassy officials.
A total of 50 members from the Filipino Community in Timor-Leste attended the seminar. END
For more information, visit https://www.dilipe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/Philippine-Embassy-in-Timor-Leste-397812407262952/.