Beijing +20 National Review, Timor-Leste

The Timor-Leste Government is committed to improving and enriching the lives of women to
enable them to participate equally in all aspects of life. This is Timor-Leste’s first report and
Timor-Leste has made significant progress in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration
and Platform for Action.
Timor-Leste actively participates in mechanisms to address gender inequality internationally
and nationally. The Timor-Leste Government acceded to the Optional Protocol to the UN
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on
16 April 2003. Timor-Leste restored independence on 20 May 2002 after over two decades
of conflict over independence and autonomy with Indonesia. As one of the youngest nations
in the world, this early ratification of CEDAW sends a message that Timor-Leste is serious
about promoting gender equality and that Timor-Leste, was prepared to be judged by
international human rights standards.