DISTRICT SUPPORT PROGRAM (DSP) : INCREASING ACCESS AND THE ALOLA PROFILE IN THE DISTRICTS (Alolamedia) Advocacy should be driven by a bottom up approach and Fundasaun Alola (FA) is uniquely placed, in terms of resources, profile and skilled staff, to seek women’s opinions about the issues that matter most to them at a village level. FA is one of the local NGOs that has a presence in district, more 6 years experience in running a district based program. This is a core strength of FA. The establishment of the DSP (District Support Program) has certainly been important for increasing access and the FA profile in the districts. This program began in 2007 with name DSW (The District Support Worker) as part of the Advocacy Program at FA with support from the Norwegian government and Women for Development (FOKUS). The primary goals of the project are to develop leadership skills in women, promote peace and reconciliation and facilitate responses to health, human rights, and women’s access to justice. FA has successfully contributed toward these goals as part of a wider network of actors working towards the achievement of them in Timor-Leste. More 6.5 years, this program contributed with multiple trainings (gender, justice, domestic violence, lidership and human trafficking), regular discussions, community development, conferences organised for women based in the districts. DSP coordinate the program, supporting women and young people, and work through existing groups linked to Alola programs and networks or establish new groups as required, to build local community capacity. The DSP themselves have participated in a wide range of training and in turn, have been expected to train and facilitate workshops, trainings and meeting on a range of subjects for the women’s groups and community. In 2013, this project was provided training to community leaders in Aileu, Ermera, Baucau, Manatutu and Dili. Regular discussions were held in 4 districts and 12 sukus in Aileu (Suku Aisimou, Lahae and Seloi Malere), Ermera (Suku Lauala, Poetete, Riheu), Baucau (Suku Buibau, Tirilolo, and Bahu) and Manatuto (Suku Maabat, Aitea and Sau). This discussions identified the issues on community such as: limited health facilities and resources at clinics, scarcity of clean water and inadequate sanitation facilities, childrens lack of access to education, high number of school drop out rates, particularly girls, definciency in the quality of teaching, long distances to travel to school, Infrastructure problems, high numbers of domestic violence, violence against women and victims ability to access to formal justice system - especially in rural areas, insufficient access to information for women and climate change. DSP also conduct monitoring visits on behalf of SEPFOPE to 22 self-employed groups in 10 districts, 15 sub-districts and 16 sucos with the objective of identifying groups who could benefit from the program.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 03:32:58 +0000
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