“The Status of Women, Vulnerable Groups and Gender Equality in Timor-Leste”

Lili Chen
Department of Political Science,
Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e of Timor-Leste

Half of the 1.3 million population in Timor-Leste is composed of women, but they face many barriers in sectors of the economy, health, education, and politics. Moreover, they are subject to risks of gender-based violence and domestic violence. The government of Timor-Leste has been making efforts to mainstream gender equality and women's rights in its policies and programs towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 by 2030. As Covid-19 highlighted and intensified the challenges and injustices women face, it also gives us opportunities to reflect on the status of women as well as social protections targeting them, gender equality, as well as the policy gaps in Timor-Leste.
Li-Li Chen is a scholar and current lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e of Timor-Leste. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Her research interests include the dynamics of gender and peacekeeping, gender and development, as well as politics in Southeast Asia with a particular focus on Timor-Leste.

7:30 pm
Thursday, September 7
Online Only—Virtual via Zoom (registration required for online attendance: https://niu-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApcuqvrTIrHNNKWfQkqwqFMsN8bCcCLchl)

Contact the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at cseas@niu.edu