In an in-deep patriarchal and
post-conflict country like Timor-Leste,
gender equality and women rights are
hard to be understood and accepted.
Violence against woman is customary
and domestic violence (DV) is the most
common form of Sexual and Genderbased
Violence (SGBV). According to
official statistics, 40 per cent of young
girls and women, between ages of 15 and
49, experienced some form physical and
sexual violence. However, these figures
do not illustrate a worst reality. After
years of intense work from organizations
of Timorese women, with the support
of international organizations, some
changes are visible. But must more need
to be done and communication has a
crucial role.
This article explores the communication
strategies implemented in Timor-Leste
on prevention of DV. Change behaviours
and promote social change are not an
easy task. It takes time, method and
persistence. Therefore, this research
withdraws lessons from recent past,
based on analysis to communication
programs implemented in Timor-Leste
for over one decade. This article draws
from communication development
theories, sociology, anthropology and
psychology to offer an interdisciplinary
perspective on communication for
preventing violence against woman