Paulina Quintao – Limited finances are preventing the National University of Timor Lorosa'e's (UNTL) Gender Studies Centre from conducting research and holding academic debates about gender issues.

The centre's co-ordinator Judite Dias Ximenes said research into issues affecting the development of women in Timor-Leste was planned.

"Such as the issue of incest as well as getting teenage mothers to return to school as well as abortion but we do not have sufficient funds to allow our team to gather the data," she said.

The centre also struggled with poor infrastructure and limited staff, she said, hindering its ability to conduct research which would inform government policy.

She said the centre had previously organized debates about things such as the roles of women during the struggle for independence as well as women in the workplace and gender relations in education.

The centre's work contributed to the development of gender equality in Timor-Leste, she said. Last year, the centre conducted research in partnership with the Ministry for State Administration and Territorial Management into the management of rubbish by families.

Supported by the State Secretariat for the Promotion of Equality, the centre is currently collecting data about accessibility of clean water and sanitation facilities as well as the prevalence of malnutrition and the importance of women in agriculture.

SEPI Secretary Idelta Maria Rodrigues said Timor-Leste had ratified a number of international treaties on gender relations and was required to make regular reports as part of its obligations under these treaties.

She said SEPI was committed to supporting the gender studies centre to provide data for the future.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/gender/12914-cash-woes-halt-gender-studies-programs