Congratulations to Timor's Milena Pires on CEDAW election

ETAN congratulates Milena Pires (full name: Maria Helena Lopes de Jesus Pires) on her election to the Convention on the monitoring commission Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, She was elected as an expert, although she was nominated by the government of Timor-Leste. Her four-year term begins on January 1 of next year.


Milena has served as Country Programme Coordinator for UNIFEM and worked or consulted for various government agencies and NGOs. She was a member of the Constituent Assembly which drafted Timor's consitution.

Sofia Borges, Timor-Leste's ambassador to the UN wrote on Facebook:

Dear friends today marked a very historic and important day for Dra Milena and Timor-Leste. I want to congratulate dra Pires for winning the elections today and wish her every success in further promoting the rights of women worldwide and enhaning the work of CEDAW. This win only goes to show that small islands have big ideas, big dreams and contribute big. Congratulations we are truly proud of you Milena. It has been a tough campaign but we have proven that with little resources but with sheer determination we can do this. Cograutlations to Minister Zacarias da Costa, this has been a big day for Foreign Affairs.