CARE, through the Lafaek project, is hosting a talkshow with the Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion (SEII) and national NGO, Mane ho Vizaun Foun (MHVF), as part of its work supporting the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign. This campaign, which started on 25 November as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, continues until 10 December on Human Rights Day. Youth groups from the Rotaract Club of Dili and students from Universidade Dili (UNDIL), are participating in the event as part of the global effort to actively engage the youth to advocate for the elimination of GBV.

During the event, SEII’s Chief of Department for the Prevention of GBV, Mrs. Isabel Adaljija Ferreira Rodrigues, and the National Director of MHVF, Mr. Americo de Araujo will discuss the global theme for the campaign, “UNITE! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls” and the local theme “Together We Can End Violence, It’s Time to Have a Revision on the Law against Domestic Violence.”

GBV remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations and a barrier to sustainable development outcomes. CARE focuses on gender equality across its programmes as it has proven that until women and girls are empowered and have an equal voice in society, they continue to face risks of GBV.

Over the years, the Lafaek project continues to expand its online presence through increasing its followership on Facebook and website. The two online platforms are designed to engage youth with key development topics, voice their issues and opinions, and seek solutions. As such, this event has been planned to enable youth to actively advocate against GBV through the Lafaek online platforms.