I was wearing a bikini top and a long sarong. The two bikini-wearing, sunbathing foreign women were not harassed. The East Timorese Women's Network, Rede Feto, unites 15 women's organisations and organised a women's congress last June. But given the strong influence of the Catholic Church and the very underdeveloped economic conditions which have a direct bearing on women's status, such organisations are fighting an uphill struggle for women's rights. In East Timor, under customary law, women cannot inherit or own property.
Economic independence is key to the possibility of women liberating themselves.
Under customary law in a practice called barlaque, a woman is bought as a bride. After protracted negotiations between two families, the bridal price is set. This is still the strongest grounds for divorce in East Timor. The influence of the Catholic Church is especially strong. She added that there is very little informative discussion of sex and sexuality, which in a country made up predominantly of young people is a recipe for disaster.