Fokupers held delivered a “Coaching & Regular Mentoring for group survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Bobonaro.” Photo: Fokupers Lens. Date; 9/11/2026
On the 9 November 2026; Fokupers held delivered a “Coaching & Regular Mentoring for group survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Bobonaro” program, with the participation of 13 participants.
This session aimed to track the progress and needs of survivors, while strengthening their capacity, confidence, solidarity, and leadership in advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality.
Through the session, Fokupers provided a safe and respectful space for survivors to share experiences, express needs, identify challenges, and build mutual support. The mentoring process also encourages strengthening communication, leadership, action planning, and advocacy skills according to each participant’s readiness and preference.
In the group discussion, the survivors shared various challenges that they still face in their daily lives. These challenges include limited access to administrative documents and public services, lack of gender sensitivity among local leaders, and lack of guaranteed confidentiality in cases of violence.
Moreover, they also reveal limited access to social support and economic opportunities, unfulfilled land and property rights, and lack of adequate mental health care and support services. Issues of access to clean water and the obligation to pay a fee to obtain a declaration letter at the village level were also concerns raised by participants.
These experiences and challenges provide important information to identify barriers and formulate practical solutions to enable women survivors to safely participate in community activities and advocacy. Fokupers also encourages strengthening mentorship, solidarity, and support among survivors, while respecting the privacy, and decisions of each individual.
Through this regular mentorship, Fokupers hopes, women survivors are not only supported in their recovery process, but also gain the confidence to express their rights, participate in decision-making, and be agents of change in their families and communities.
The voices of women survivors matter. Their rights must be respected, their needs listened to, and a safe space for participation must be guaranteed.
This program is implemented with the support of funds from the European Union through a consortium of Care in Timor-Leste and Fokupers.
