East Timor is the newest and poorest nation in South East Asia, emerging after years of occupation and suppression by the Indonesian government. Since Independence in 2002, women have continued to be the backbone of their communities, in many cases earning a sole income for their families. In the ongoing uncertain economic climate and the stresses of political transition, life is hard for the average East Timorese: unemployment is high, illiteracy, particularly among women, presents a huge challenge. Opportunities to earn a living income are limited, and many still suffer deeply from the trauma of the recent years. Education opportunities are central to changing the situation of so many of these people and to building the knowledge and skills needed for the longer term development East Timor.
1975 - 1999
In 1975, as Portugal withdrew from 500 years of colonial rule of East Timor, the Indonesian army invaded and so began a 24-year war for independence. Women actively involved themselves at many levels in the resistance struggle - as couriers, guides and food providers for the guerrilla army, as activists in the urban clandestine movement, and even as armed combatants. Consequently they paid the price through torture, imprisonment, death and, most often, through the pain associated with the loss of husbands, children and other family members.
In 1999 a referendum was held in which the people of East Timor overwhelmingly voted for independence. The Indonesian occupiers finally left but not before they had gone on the rampage leaving many dead and burning the capitol Dili and other towns to ashes, destroying the water and electricity supplies and schools.
2001 – March 2006
Even after Independence in 2001, life remained hard for the average East Timorese: unemployment is high; illiteracy, particularly amongst women, presents a huge challenge to educational authorities; opportunities for economic activities are limited, and a large percentage of the population is still suffering from trauma and the effects of the direct or indirect experience of political violence.
East Timorese women continue to be the backbone of their communities, in many cases earning a sole income for their families through work in the informal sector or through production of traditional handicrafts Many women are widows or lone parents.
However, in 2001 in the first ever Constituent Assembly election, 22 of the 88 members elected were women (the highest female representation in the Asia-Pacific region). 25% of civil servants are women.
A quota is set for women in local government elections guaranteeing at least 3 seats for women.
The current crisis: April 2006 to the present
At the end of April 2006 violence erupted in Dili after marches and protests from disaffected soldiers. This continued and escalated during May and June with looting and burning of homes and other property. Many people in Dili fled to makeshift camps set up in church yards, the airport, schools etc. Over 160,000 people were displaced. About 100,000 of these internally displaced persons (IDPs) are still living in camps.
Even now about 60,000 people are still living in camps.
- Less than 25% of the population have access to running water. Even less have access to safe drinking water.
- 53% of women are illiterate.
- 28% of women suffer from malnutrition, with 7% of these requiring medical treatment.
- According to a 2003 International Rescue Committee survey, 51% of women feel unsafe in their relationships. 25% had experienced violence from their male partner.
- East Timor has the highest fertility rate in the world: women have an average of eight children.
- Only 7% of women in marriages or permanent relationships use contraception.
- East Timor has one of the highest rates of maternal and child mortality in the world:
- For every 100,000 live births, 850 women die.
For every 1,000 births, 85 babies die.
Only 10 percent of women give birth with the assistance of a skilled birth attendant.
- 1 in 12 children do not reach their fifth birthday.
- Almost 50 % of children are undernourished.
- 1 in 5 attends secondary school.
- Timor-Leste is the newest and poorest nation in Southeast Asia:
40% of the people live on less than US 55 cents per day.
