Timor Leste CEDAW Specific Report on Education and Health Sectors

IntroductionThis report is submitted in response to the request by the <strong>CEDAW</strong> committee in its 2009Concluding Observations to <strong>Timor</strong>-<strong>Leste</strong> to provide within two years detailed information on theimplementation of the recommendations in the areas of education and health. This reportsummarizes current governmental and non-governmental initiatives in <strong>Timor</strong>-<strong>Leste</strong> in the areasof education and health. It was compiled with the aim of improving gender equality and -up on the ConcludingObservations.In order to enable data gathering, questionnaires were developed and shared at a workshop to therelevant governmental organizations, namely the Ministry of Health and the Ministry ofEducation, through their respective Gender Focal Points and Chiefs of Departments; as well as tocivil society. Then, a review of a wide range of documentation on the health and educationsectors was conducted to complete this report. A validation workshop was held before finalsubmission to <strong>CEDAW</strong> Committee.The following report is divided into the two specific areas under concern of <strong>CEDAW</strong>Committee.The first part on the health sector begins with a situational analysis of reproductive health in<strong>Timor</strong>-covers sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, ante and post-natal care,abortion, and finally Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV/AIDS. Following this,attention is given to Family Planning, including the prevention of early pregnancy and sexeducationfor students. As one of the main issues of health in this country is maternal, child andinfant mortality, they are treated subsequently with a review on research conducted on the rootcauses of such types of mortality. Next, a section is d before ananalysis of the health management information system, including the various monitoring andevaluation systems of the health sector covering reproductive health and family planning.The second part of this report is dedicated to the education sector, opening with an analysis ofinitiatives to improve it, including special scholarships for girls. The illiteracy rate amongwomen remains high in <strong>Timor</strong>-<strong>Leste</strong>, so illiteracy is covered in the second sub-division,including an overview of the several types of literacy programs initiated within the country. Thefollowing s -out, including the issue ofsecurity for girls at school.iv | <strong>CEDAW</strong> <strong>Specific</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on Education and Health Sectors <strong>Timor</strong>-<strong>Leste</strong>