East Timor group promotes protection of women's rights in constitution: UN mission

A group promoting the inclusion of gender issues into East Timor's constitution today turned over its report on women's rights to the head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in the territory (UNTAET).

The report to UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello by the East Timorese Gender and Constitutional Working Group reflects the aspirations and desires of women from all 13 districts, based on meetings, congresses and interviews conducted since last year. The report will be presented to the recently elected Constituent Assembly for its consideration when drafting the territory's Constitution.

The Working Group will meet the 23 female members of the 88-member Assembly on Saturday to garner support for the report's 10 principles and their incorporation into the Constitution, UNTAET said. The report, which will be presented along with over 8,000 signatures backing it, spells out the political and social rights of women in East Timor.

On 21 August, Mr. Vieira de Mello opened a "Support Women in the Constitution" seminar held by the Working Group. The Gender and Constitution Working Group is part of the Constitutional Working Group, a coalition of national and international organizations working to promote a participatory constitution-making process.