Gender equality and Social Institutions in Timor-Leste with special reference to women.
Reported, January 6, 2012
The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of East Timor supports freedom from sex-based discrimination. Following 25 years of brutal civil war, both women and men struggle with widespread poverty, unemployment and general poor health. Particularly vulnerable groups include war widows, women stigmatised because they have mothered children of Indonesian soldiers, and internally displaced women and children.
Although East Timor has made significant progress in relation to womens rights since Independence (2002), a USAID study indicates that several factors are negatively affecting further advances including a conservative backlash that seeks to return women to their former domestic roles. The gender division of labour at the community level is relatively rigid, and womens low level of literacy and education are often cited as reasons for excluding them from community processes. Approximately 98 per cent of the population are Roman Catholic and remain conservative on social and gender issues at a national level.
FAMILY CODE:
Various traditional customs have the effect of lowering the level of protection of East Timorese women within the family context. Although exact statistics are not available, early marriage does not appear to be a serious problem. In fact, more than 65 per cent of women marry between the ages of 20 to 24 years and the median age at first marriage is 20.5 years. In recent years, the average age of marriage has been declining, in contrast to global trends. A study by Risopatron attributes the decline to numerous causes such as the end of hostilities, the effort towards nation building, and low enrolment of teenage girls in the school system. Still, a recent survey by the World Health Organization indicates that marriages are rare amongst women below 20 years of age.
Most of East Timor maintains a traditional bride-price custom, called barlaque, although the practice varies amongst different communities. This custom calls upon the prospective husbands extended family to pay a negotiated combination of animals, money, traditional woven cloths and other gifts to the family of the prospective bride. This has traditionally helped build relationships between families. However, a USAID report says it can also contribute to problems of domestic violence in that the wife is perceived as becoming the property of the husband and his family, and is expected to act obediently.
Polygamy is known to exist in East Timor but data on its prevalence are not available at time of publication. Parental authority is jointly shared by both spouses, although women remain the principal caretakers of children.
Men are also often favoured in matters of inheritance, primarily because most communities in East Timor are patri-local, meaning that married couples usually live with or near the husbands family and the wife is expected to move if necessary.
PHYSICAL INTEGRITY:
Women in East Timor have little protection for their physical integrity. Violence against women has been perpetrated by foreign and domestic parties for centuries and remains a serious issue. A UNIFEM study on East Timor attributes the high levels of domestic violence to five main causes. The society is strongly patriarchal with men holding the majority of decision-making positions. Women have less access to education and remain economically dependent. Religious leaders typically prioritise family unity and harmony over a womans right to freedom from domestic violence. Cultural and traditional practices (such as dowries, judicial discrimination against women, adultery and polygamy) remain strong and the culture of violence associated with the recent occupation has desensitised people to violence in general. Finally, a widespread public view that domestic violence is a private matter discourages police and justice officials from intervening in domestic situations.
There is no indication that female genital mutilation is practised in East Timor. There is some evidence to suggest it is a country of concern in relation to missing women.
OWNERSHIP RIGHTS:
Existing traditions and customary laws constrain the ability of women to attain economic independence in East Timor. A study by Wright demonstrates that most traditional land systems discriminate against women by limiting their access to land. Men also dominate ownership and access to property other than land.
Women also have limited access to bank loans and credit, often due to illiteracy and a general lack of awareness. In response, some organisations have recently established micro-credit initiatives that target women specifically.