Australia & Timor-Leste celebrate International Women’s Day
06 March 2015
Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Mr Peter Doyle hosted a reception last night at the Ambassador’s residence to mark International Women’s day and to highlight the achievements of women in Timor-Leste.
Her Excellency, Isabel Ferreira, First Lady of Timor-Leste, Her Excellency Veneranda Lemos Martins, the Secretary of State for the Support and Socio-Economical Promotion of Women, and Her Excellency Maria Isabel de Jesus Ximenes, Secretary of State for Art and Culture, were among the special guests at the event.
Mr Doyle said that “Gender equality and women’s empowerment are priorities for the Australian Government, both domestically and internationally. Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP strongly believes that empowering women is one of the most effective ways to achieve higher economic growth and better living standards among millions of people in developing countries in our region. She has made gender equality a key priority in Australia’s foreign policy and aid program”.
Australian Aid works with Timor-Leste to achieve better outcomes for women and girls so they can gain improved access to health, education and basic services, live free from violence and participate in leadership, decision making and the economy.
Australian supported programs such as the Australia Awards, Skills Development and Employment, Roads for Development, Seeds of Life, Water and Sanitation, maternal health and Market Development Facility, contribute to women’s empowerment by assisting with skills development, income generation and improving access to services.
International Women’s Day is celebrated globally each year on 8 March to commemorate the economic, political and social achievements of women.
|
Australian Ambassador, Peter Doyle with Janet Wong from UN Women and Her Excellency Veneranda Lemos Martins, the Secretary of State for the Support and Socio-Economical Promotion of Women |
Her Excellency Veneranda Lemos Martins, the Secretary of State for the Support and Socio-Economical Promotion of Women with the Australian Embassy Gender team |
Her Excellency, Isabel Ferreira, First Lady of Timor-Leste with the Australian Ambassador, Peter Doyle, his wife Jennifer and Embassy Gender specialist Nurima Alkatiri |
