Maria Domingas Alves

Maria Domingas Fernandes Alves (born 28 November 1959), nickname Mana (sister) Micato or Mikato, and campaigned for independence in the run-up to the 1999 East Timorese independence referendum.

Political career In 2000, Alves organized the first National Women's Congress. but she was not elected to the national parliament of East Timor. and in 2002, she was appointed director of the Office for the Promotion of Equality,

From 8 August 2007 to 8 August 2012, Alves was Minister of Social Solidarity in the IV Government of East Timor, with Xanana Gusmão as president. In 2012, under a new government, it was reportedly proposed that she would be appointed Minister of Defence and Security, but according to press reports, President Taur Matan Ruak, who was a former military commander in chief of the army, opposed her appointment. Alves allegedly rejected a return to her old ministerial post because of the "insult".

Awards On November 28, 2006, Alves received from the government the Nicolau Lobato Order for her participation and contribution to the liberation of East Timor.

Publications c. 2004 - Written with blood, by Maria Domingas Fernandes Alves with Laura Soares Abrantes and Filomena B Reis. Dili : Office for Promotion of Equality.