Media Release
April 19, 2005
Newest nation’s First Lady opens up on child poverty in East Timor
One of the world’s newest and poorest nations is suffering. After
long years of struggling for freedom, East Timor faces a new battle –
the fight against poverty, disease, malnutrition and illiteracy.
First Lady of East Timor, Australian-born Kirsty Sword Gusmao, will paint a picture of these needs in a special public lecture hosted by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, to be held in the Barbara Hanrahan lecture theatre at City West campus this Thursday April 21 at 5.45pm.
Her commitment to empowering women in East Timor is well known and as the voice of the Alola Foundation, Kirsty Sword Gusmao is putting their plight on the agenda internationally.
Today East Timor has the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world. The under five mortality rate is 12 per cent with children dying from preventable infections. Only 20 per cent of women in East Timor are literate.
The First Lady will discuss how health and education for women in East Timor can underpin the development of this new nation. She will identify what can be done to make a difference to the lives of the East Timorese.
The Alola Foundation was originally established in 2001 to raise awareness about the problem of sexual and gender-based violence in East Timor and to benefit women, children and their communities in East Timor.
Today the Foundation has grown to respond to a range of other needs of East Timorese women such as advocacy, economic empowerment, education and literacy, maternal and child health and humanitarian assistance helping to strengthen community development by providing opportunities for women.
At a time when Australia’s role as a good neighbour to East Timor is being brought into question in the media, Kirsty Sword Gusmeo will be presenting a lecture that will present hard and depressing facts but also ideas on how to improve the lives of our closest neighbours.
Entry to the lecture is a gold coin donation to the Alola Foundation. The lecture is also being supported the UN Association of Australia, SA; the Australian Institute of International Affairs, SA; and the Australia East Timor Friendship Association (SA) Inc.
Media contact
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Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
Please note interviews can be arranged from 12 noon on Thursday April 21.