The Veterans' Valorisation Scheme: Marginalising Women's Contributions to the Resistance

Abstract

It is well known that East Timorese women played critical roles during the 24-year Resistance struggle (the Resistance) against the Indonesian occupation. As large numbers of men took up arms against the Indonesian military and were imprisoned and killed, women took on new responsibilities. Through a case study of the veterans’ valorisation scheme (veterans’ scheme), this chapter argues that women in independent Timor-Leste have been insufficiently recognised for their diverse and critical contributions to the Resistance. Specifically, it shows that the scheme, established in 2006 to provide symbolic recognition and material benefits to veterans of the 24-year Resistance, has discriminated against women. Given that the veterans’ scheme has become a key nation-building pillar, consuming a significant amount of state resources and helping to shape social, political and economic status in independent TimorLeste, this has significant implications for East Timorese women and, indeed, for the society as a whole.