13 Nov Santina: Actions to Tackle Gender Based Violence

Having a chance to attend YSEALI Generation Workshop: Advance Gender Equality in Brunei Darussalam, 7-11 October, 2019 not only provided me with the opportunities to learn as much as I can but it also provided me a chance to hear and learn different stories as well as lessons learned on different prevention approaches that have been used to tackle the Gender Based Violence (GBV) in their countries. These prevention efforts resulted in strong ownership by the government as such the sustainability of the program is there afterward.  

I observed that almost all countries shared the same challenges such as patriarchal system and lack of strong support; however, despite all the challenges they were able to have programmes that have impacted in reducing GBV in their countries. I also learned that some approaches or activities discussed during the workshop are currently being implemented in my home countries, such as shelter home, awareness programmes, and free access to justice for women and children of GBV.  

Changing behaviours takes time when it comes to a topic where some people think are taboo to discuss in a public fora. However, there are ways to make your program to be inclusive and creative without losing the main objective you want to achieve. The issue of GBV is still considered taboo to talk in public because it consider as family issues. I have a small scale project focusing on providing knowledge and awareness sessions to community leaders in my village, particularly on gender norms and gender stereotypes. I hope this small scale project will contribute to knowledge changing of the community leaders in my village, which will support them for the successful implementation of Law against Domestic Violence.

About the Writer

Santina is one of the participants from Timor Leste, attended the YSEALI Generation Workshop: Advancing Gender Equality in Brunei Darussalam on 7 – 11 October 2019.