Paulina Quintso – The Director of Caucus (Women in Politics) Foundation Paula Corte Real urged women's associations across the 12 municipalities to stand firm and work together to encourage women with potential to take a more active role in national development efforts.

She said some women's associations are implementing worthwhile activities such as, programs on how to develop strategic plans, raising awareness of women's platforms, action and promoting association's profiles to the communities but many are experiencing internal challenges.

"Elected structures should avoid personal interests and should work together to address women's needs and help them solve the problems they face," said CAUCUS Director Corte Real in her office, in Kaikoli, Dili.

She added that the elected women must work hard to improve women' lives in their municipalities.

The Director of Caucus who is also a member of Timor-Leste's women network (Rede Feto) also praised the commitment of the Secretariat of State for the Socio-Economic Support of Women (SEM) and the National Parliament for allocating annual funds to support women's associations at the municipal level.

Meanwhile the President of the Ermera Women's Association Maria Exposto acknowledged poor participation of the elected structures is one of the challenges they face.

Nevertheless, she added that despite the challenges that her association continues to undertake activities to prepare women to take part in the development process planned by the government.

"We shared information about the process of pre-desconcentration, decentralization and sukus election to communities including in the municipalities especially targeting women women," said President Exposto via phone interview.

She said also that in 2015 her association received $5.000 from the government through SEM to rehabilitate their office.

Meanwhile the President of FADA (Aileu Women's Development Association) Cristina da Conceicso said they have received several trainings including on how to conduct research about women' participation in politics in women's organisations.

"We took part in the action plan discussions of the pre-desconcentration process. We also raised awareness of the internal regulations such as the tara bandu to the community," she said. She added they will continue to work with women's organizations and provide training to the women with potential of Aileu.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/gender/13492-caucus-women-s-associations-must-stand-firm