UN WOMEN TIMOR-LESTE Quarterly Newsletter | April 2018

As 2018 begins, we see a momentum building across the world and in Timor-Leste, with great potential for lasting change. We see communities mobilizing across countries and generations, from rural to urban spaces, taking action on the streets and through social media. As we commemorate the progress made, we must also remember that women, with diverse backgrounds, abilities, and identities, have crossed many barriers to enjoying their rights. We must keep the stories of these women and this progress alive - it is the hope that change is possible.

We must also learn lessons from the past - as we still have a long way to go before we reach gender equality. When we listen to women who have paved the way for others to enjoy more equitable roles in society, they tell a story of disruption and struggle. We must continue this struggle and ask ourselves, how are we disrupting the systems that keep women with a lower status - in the family, community, and at work? We must ask - how are we using our power to create space for women in their diversity- inclusive of women with disabilities, lesbian, bisexual or transgender persons- women who face stigma and violence?

Through our actions and our words, we can make a change and amplify the voices of women who are silenced by discrimination. Their voices are all around us- we just need to listen.

In this spirit of remembering gender equality defenders, this Newsletter is dedicated to Mana Filomena Fuca, a Rede Feto member and UN Women friend, who passed away on 28 March 2018. Filomena’s commitment to eliminating discrimination faced by women was significant and her contributions remain with us in our broader efforts to advance gender equality. In celebrating Mana Mena’s vision of change, I invite readers to commit to action - individually we can pave the path to equality and collectively disrupt the discrimination around us - the Time is Now.