PNTL women gather in Dili to establish 'Female Focal Point'
29 May 2014
Police officers from across Timor-Leste gathered in Dili on 29 and 30 May for a workshop to discuss issues facing female members of the national police force of Timor-Leste, ‘Policia Nacional Timor-Leste’ (PNTL).
Over 100 PNTL officers attended the event at the Comoro training centre including female officer representatives from Timor-Leste’s district stations. Almost 17 per cent of PNTL staff members are female, making an important contribution to the security and stability of Timor-Leste.
The workshop was officially opened by PNTL Chief Superintendent Faustino da Costa. The opening session also heard presentations by Australian Federal Police Superintendent Dave Allen, Assistant Superintendent Umbalina Soares (also PNTL Gender Section Chief), and Lidia Lopes de Cavalho representing the Secretary of State Security.
Facilitators at the workshop included senior level female PNTL officers, and gender specialists from UN Women and the Australian Federal Police, with Gender and Equality Advisor Gayle Judd played a key role in organising the event.
Over the two-days, collective feedback was provided to PNTL leaders on the challenges facing police women in the service. The workshop proposed that future meetings of the Focal Point take place on a regular basis.
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 Focal point participants join for a group photo. Photo: Australian Embassy Dili |
Female officers from around Timor-Leste came together for the focal point meeting in Dili on 29 and 30 May. Photo: Australian Embassy Dili |
