Baseline Report into Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Covalima and Bobonaro

The supporting community-led initiatives to promote womens engagement in peace building and prevention of sexual and gender-based violence programme aimed to develop community-based responses to sexual and gender based violence (SGBV). The progamme also endeavored to promote womens participation in local conflict prevention and peace building in six post conflict countries, Rwanda, Liberia, Uganda, Afghanistan, Haiti and Timor-Leste.

In Timor-Leste, the two-year programme was piloted in the two western border districts of Covalima and Bobonaro. Unlike many post-conflict contexts, SGBV continues to be one of the most reported crimes in Timor-Leste. Women continue to be extremely disempowered and are subjected to sexual violence. The situation of women is particularly precarious in isolated villages, and is especially concentrated in the western border districts where populations are vulnerable due to geographical isolation, history of violence and sexual abuse, incest and lack of economic opportunities. Women in border districts are also vulnerable to trafficking.

With technical and financial assistance from UN Women, Timorese partners Asia-Pacific Support Collective-Timor Leste, produced the Baseline Report into SGBV in Covalima and Bobonaro. The publication provides much needed information on the causes, types and incidences of SGBV in Covalima and Bobonaro. The report also details the mechanisms for resolution of SGBV cases, the services available for victims, and the gaps and weaknesses in these areas. As well as revealing the extent of SGBV in the pilot districts, such information is vital for Government, non-government organisations and UN agencies to use as a basis for future actions and policies. This includes guiding activities in the second phase of the programme commencing in 2010, particularly working with men and youth to reduce domestic violence.

This programme was made possible with the support of DIFD. To read the report click here