8th March 2022: In light of the celebration of International Women’s day (IWD), CEPAD conducted a training for 22 public servants (19 females and 3 males) in Lautem Municipality on March 4th 2022 to highlight the IWD theme that is to #BreakTheBias, in the scope of a program funded by the European Union called ‘Ensuring Government accountability of COVID-19 through improved Freedom and Access of Information in Timor-Leste.”

All participants, most female employees in the public service were committed to promoting human rights and to not tolerate any discrimination against women, including vulnerable groups, each time they see the bias. The training focus in increasing public servant’s knowledge of freedom of information in the context of their obligation to best  encourage communities particularly women to use their right to be informed, which is important to ensure government accountability of COVID-19 and the use of available resources to improve women’s socio-economic situation. Bias makes it difficult not only for women butsociety in general to move forward.

 Through the European Union support, CEPAD has conducted 11 training sessions with 210 public servants (141 Females and 69 Males) in 10 Municipalities (Aileu, Manufahi, Ainaro, Liquiça, Ermera, Manatuto, Baucau, Viqueque, Bobonaro, Covalima and Lautem). The public servants represent key line Ministries including Agriculture, Education, Health, Public Works, State Administration, Youth and Sports, who are well positioned to provide public services and support to the communities living in the most remote and vulnerable areas.

 During the group activity, participants acknowledged that bias exists in every workplace, including in communities, schools and universities  and the main question is how they can help break it?  One female participant Aguida Fernandes stated: “Bias exists in our society, that is a fact; though just by acknowledging it,  isn’t enough! We need a collective action to call out bias on International Women’s Day and beyond; it is our responsibility to break it each time we see it!” A  call supported by most of participants.

 To celebrate the IWD , the training ended with participants showing their solidarity in together breaking the bias by posing with their arms crossed and shouted aloud “Happy International Women’s Day! Let us together #BreakTheBias to achieve equality for women and our society”.