- Project name: Fokupers on supporting Support Women’s Economic Empowerment
- Implementing institutions: Fokupers
- Agreement partner: Fokupers
- Project period: 2009 - 2010
- Total budget: NOK 3.2 million
Fokupers is one of the few East Timorese women's NGOs working on the empowerment of women from a women's human rights perspective. Established in 1997, Fokupers has been engaged in investigating women human rights violations and providing support, including counseling, to women's political prisoners, wives of political prisoners, war widows and survivors of violence against women. In August 1999 it opened a shelter for women, forced so by the increased incidence of political and gender-based violence. Fokupers, along with other women's organizations, organized the first-ever women's conference in East Timor on November 9 and 10, 1998, and then held a seminar and demonstration in Dili on November 25, 1998, on the international day against violence against women. Fokupers also conducts workshops to discuss ways to enhance and develop women’s participation in Timorese society.
Fokupers engage in efforts to end violence at the individual, family and institutional level and build a movement that empowers women in all aspects of life through integrated assistance that gives both women and men awareness, understanding and the capacity to end injustice and gender inequality. The shelter and education building will facilitate educating children and parents on gender equality and non-violent communication and provide women and single mothers the opportunity to participate in economical and political activities.
Photo: Jarle Kottmann