PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE HEAD OF VILLAGE ELECTION IN TIMOR-LESTE 2016.THESIS, UNIVERSITY OF NUSA CENDANA, KUPANG.

The pattern of views of the people of Timor-Leste begins a new phase with the participation of women in all matters. This is supported by the country?s Constitution which provides women with opportunities to participate in a variety of things including politics. The purpose of this study is to determine 1).The participation of women both as candidates and as voters. 2), to know and explain the low level of participation of women as head of village. 3), to describe the public perception towards Woman candidate for Head of Village. Women?s participation in politics is a Political and Civil right guaranteed by law, international conventions and other regulations. Political participation as a voluntary activity undertaken by citizens with the intention to influence political choice in different political systems is equally present either directly or indirectly. Gender equality is a situation where men and women gain recognition of rights, respect for dignity, and equal participation in all aspects of life, both in the public and the domestic sectors. In this study used a qualitative approach to the type of primary and secondary data. This is the technique of data collection through interviews, observation and document review. Women\'s participation in village head elections in 2016 can be seen from the participation of women as candidates for heads of village by running for contestants and women?s participation as voters in the election. The low participation of women as head of the village can be seen from the number of villages located throughout the national territory of Timor-Leste consisted of 442 villages, but only 319 women candidates are ahead in the election, means that not all villages in Timor-Leste have elected women as head of village. It is said to be low because of the total number of registered candidates for head village only 21 candidates were elected as head of village. The election of women as head of village is still low due to some perceptions that may affect the participation and election rate of women for head of village candidates which is the result of a lack of women?s information, lack of awareness, discrimination and culture that still prevails in Timor-Leste society in general, high competition of men candidates for head of village from same Sub-village (Aldeia), patriarchal cultural issues are extremely high.