The education and empowerment of women throughout the world cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and peaceful life for all.
Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

w o m e n ' s   a d v a n c e m e n t   p r o g r a m

the gender gap

Most Timorese living in remote and poor areas are disadvantaged, this is especially so for women. Women have fewer opportunities for an education and thus have limited employment prospects. Furthermore, women are often responsible for the care of large families, especially as many have been left widowed after the events of 1999. Women also have specific health needs and have at high risk of death or disability due to multiple pregnancies.

 

Currently there are very limited supports for women and their families living in remote areas of Timor. Supporting these women allows 'etef' to support not only an individual but also a family and wider community. Amartiya Sen, Nobel Prize in economics, has also shown that ‘supporting a woman not only supports that individual but also supports a family and the wider community’.

bridging the gap - women’s training

The sponsored women will attend the Women’s training course at Canossa College, Baucau. This 11 month live-in course which is run by the Canossian Sisters, teaches skills and knowledge that both encourage and enable these women to become ‘responsible and empowered leaders of their own local communities’.

The course covers two broad areas; personal development and practical skills. The women board together while they are at the college, encouraging them to meet women from other areas of Timor. To date, around 100 women from all regions of Timor have attended the course, many going on to employment or further study.

The concept of the training college is brilliant. The head of the college, describes the change in women's self esteem as being the greatest outcome of the course. "We teach women how to use computers, and we know that many women will never use a computer again, but the message they are getting is so much more important. Computers are seen as something used by educated and wealthy people- they feel valued and important".

getting involved

This project is the exciting beginning of supporting women living in some of the poorest areas of the world. For most recipients this is the first time that they are leaving their villages.

et ef charges no administration fees and all donations directly support the education and future of these young people

Updated August 2006