A focus on the women of Timor Leste

Lo'ud Women's Co-operative formerly CTKDS

The women of Los Palos region, Timor Leste, a South Pacific Area ACWW sister society.

Recently, CTKDS changed its name to LO’UD Women’s Cooperative. A name change is not unusual in any country, let alone a post-conflict nation where major changes are occurring every day. LO’UD has more meaning for the women culturally and it also translates to English beautifully, representing the organisations struggle to empower women against all odds.

LO’UD is based on two cultural concepts: 1) Lo’ut (the inspiration for the Cooperatives name) is a call for action between the communities of Iliomar and Luru and 2) Fulidai-dai, a social concept which promotes cooperation, honesty, openness, mutuality and equality. Understanding these processes in action is critical to long-term stability for the Cooperative.

LO’UD women continue to work hard. They have a new home, new leaders, and new staff and are developing new Constitution that aims to place control firmly in members’ hands. And they’ve made all these changes in the last few months, which demonstrates yet again their continued unity, commitment and motivation. So in response, ETWA is working with the women on a strategic new project called Fair Futures for Women and Girls in Timor-Leste which aims to provide long-term solutions to LO’UDS needs (more info available from www.etwa.org.au).

One key element of this work is a secure space for the women to work from. Their new office desperately needs a new roof and external walls.

The image below is not of the actual office but it’s very similar. You can see from the condition of the roof and walls that the building does not provide protection for the women’s beautiful weavings and valuable business resources.

Below: LO’UD members doing what they do best- weaving together (the building in the background is their new office, kindly provided by the leader of the Lospalos collective, Marcelina, who is sitting at the loom).