East Timor

East Timor (Timor-Leste) became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century on May 20, 2002, after 25 years of Indonesian occupation. Population estimates range from 800,000 to 1.1 million people as of July 2009. The key issues concerning women include challenges in accessing justice, sexual and other forms of violence, and the impact of traditional values.

In 2002, the United Nations Transitional Administration for East Timor (UNTAET) helped establish a Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation (CAVR) to investigate human rights violations committed between during Indonesian occupation, with specific attention given to women. However, access to justice for victims of sexual and other forms of violence and for those who were displaced by the conflict remains a challenge.

A number of cultural norms continue to impact the lives of women, including forced and early marriage, polygamy, bride price, and barriers to inheritance and property ownership. Violence against women is prevalent and frequently resolved through traditional methods including mediation. In March 2009, East Timor enacted a penal code which criminalizes most sexual crimes. There have been delays in enacting a law addressing domestic violence.

The enrollment rate of girls in secondary and higher education is low. Traditional attitudes, early pregnancy and marriage, abuse and harassment by teachers and sexual harassment and violence while traveling to school are among the causes of high drop out rates for girls. High wage gaps and occupational segregation persist, with a concentration of women in the informal sector.

East Timor had a maternal mortality rate of 380 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2005. Women face inadequate access to pre-and postnatal care, particularly in rural areas, with many women giving birth at home. East Timor is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in the Asia region, the other being the Philippines, which has contributed to restrictions imposed on access to abortion. High rates of unsafe abortion have been documented.

Despite the establishment of a Secretary of the State for the Promotion of Equality, in 2008, women continue to be underrepresented in decision-making positions. A large number of organizations are working [Page 439]to strengthen protections for women's human rights including the Alola Foundation and Fokupers.