Timorese Women Journalists Expand Women's Role

Training for Timorese Women Journalists Aims to Expand Women's Civic Role

JAKARTA (Internews/Pacific Media Watch): Ten women journalists from community radio stations around Timor-Leste began a 16-week training program on January 9 that aims to provide Timor-Leste women, particularly in rural areas, with access to information while promoting and increasing gender sensitivity and women's participation in community media.

The training program is being funded by the World Bank-administered Norwegian Dutch Trust Fund for Mainstreaming Gender (GENFUND) and is being implemented by the Timor Leste Media Development Center (TLMDC) under the guidance of Internews.

''This training, hopefully, will help create the realization for women's participation in the social, political and economic development spheres of Timor-Leste. All these areas are essential components in the national development process of the country,'' said lead trainer Landai Hoang. ''The program also hopes to raise awareness about women's issues in the communities through discussion of goals of the Second National Women's Congress.''

Landai Hoang has extensive experience working in radio broadcasting in the South East Asia region with a focus on women and children. Hoang worked as a broadcaster and producer with the BBC and Radio Free Asia. She has been living in Timor-Leste for over two years and has knowledge of the development of the local media sector and a strong understanding of the issues women face.

The women involved in the training program will produce a total of six radio feature programs about issues of importance to Timorese women. These programs will be broadcast on community radio.

Assisting Landai Hoang with the training program is Albina Pereira, a community radio trainer with TLMDC and a board member of ARKTL (Asosiasaun Radio Komunidade Timor-Leste or Timor-Leste Community Radio Association).

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