DILI, 18 June 2021: The Government of Timor-Leste, European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), civil society organisations, and partners of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative met today to review progress, approve the 2020 Annual Report, and seek inputs on programmatic adaptations needed to address the increased risk of violence against women and girls in the wake of recovery from COVID-19 pandemic and floods. The third meeting of the National Steering Committee was virtually organised by the Secretariat of State for Equality and Inclusion and the UN Resident Coordinator's Office. The meeting brought together representatives from the line Ministries, Municipalities, EU, UN agencies together with their partner organisations, and civil society. The Spotlight Initiative started in January 2020, and has substantially contributed to preventing and responding to violence against women and girls. Over 268,000 women and girls, or 21% of the total population, have benefitted from the programme over the last year. Over 550,000 people were also reached through social media.  “I would like to convey my sincere appreciation to all the efforts you all have carried out. While all of us have face various challenges due to limited movement because of by COVID-19, sanitary health fence and the recent floods, however we have made significant progress as seen in the results presented earlier. We have welcome positive feedback not only from the secretariat in New York but also from regional level. This is a great recognition to all and I believe together with UN and European Union, we will improve implementation performance in the coming period,” stated Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion, Maria José da Fonseca Monteiro de Jesus. As a result of community mobilisation, advocacy, system strengthening, and improved awareness, Gender Based Violence (GBV) reporting and response has increased considerably. The Spotlight partners supported over 3,500 women and girls in municipalities of focus who reported physical/sexual violence and sought legal help. More than 1,319 cases of GBV were also reported to justice officials – almost twice the number of cases compared to the previous year in these municipalities. In addition, 60 women and girl survivors of violence and their families were supported by the Spotlight Initiative through knowledge, information, and capacity building. Through behavioural change interventions, the programme also engaged and advocated with men and boys to become stronger agents of change. In 2020, the Spotlight Initiative worked with the Government partners, including PNTL, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Trade Union Confederation, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Associação Empresarial das Mulheres, and Secretariat of State for Vocational Training to support women and girls against all forms of violence. Over 800 Public Sector representatives were trained. Partnerships were also developed with organisations working with marginalised groups, particularly people from the LGBT community and people with disabilities, to improve their access to services.   In Timor-Leste, the Initiative is being implemented by five UN agencies (ILO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women) in collaboration with civil society and the Government partners. The programme currently supports 22 civil society projects representing 33 partner organisations at the national level and three municipalities (Viqueque, Bobonaro, and Ermera). Over USD 2.48 million have been committed to these projects. The Spotlight Initiative also supports key Government partners through technical and financial support.  The European Union Ambassador to Timor-leste said: “I am proud of the work done by the Government, the UN Agencies and the Civil Society Organisation during this first year of implementation of the Spotlight Initiative. Despite the difficult Covid19 times, many women, girls, boys, men and minority groups of society have been reached with information, training and services. GBV has not been eliminated yet, but the path has been set and the European Union continues to be strongly committed to support gender equality and women's empowerment. I know, it would be impossible to achieve this without the engagement and commitment of the Timor-Leste Government and Civil Society Organisations.” It has been globally recognised that violence is often exacerbated in emergencies and natural disasters due to disruption of services, destruction of infrastructure, displacement, and limited access to referral services.  Despite the shutdowns and restrictions in response to COVID-19 and recent floods, action against GBV remains one of the highest priorities for the Government, United Nations, EU and partners in Timor-Leste.  "Women and girls in Timor-Leste are under greater risk of violence during COVID-19 pandemic and as a result of the floods, making them more vulnerable. The Government and key institutions have a responsibility to help ensure that people are safe, well supported and that the fundamental rights of all, especially women, girls and vulnerable groups, are effectively protected. The UN in Timor-Leste will continue working closely with the communities, the Government, and partners to address and eliminate all kinds of violence against women and girls", noted United Nations Resident Coordinator Roy Trivedy.  In response to the floods and in support of COVID-19 recovery, the Spotlight team and partners also proposed diverting some programme funds to ensure the safety of women and girls. The meeting explored redirecting over USD 500,000 from the Initiative's budget to Gender and Protection measures under Government and humanitarian partners' Joint Flood Response Plan. The proposed reprogrammed funds cover referral systems, reproductive health services and supplies, dignity kits, and psychosocial support to affected women, girls and their families.    -END-   Komunikadu imprensa konjuntu. Iha Timor-Leste, iha 268,000 feto no labarik-feto sira hetan benefísiu husi inisiativa Spotlight UE nian iha tinan ida nia laran, konklui ona Komisaun diretiva Nasionál. Governu, parseiru sira, Uniaun Europeia, no Nasoins Unidas kompromete atu hapara violénsia kontra feto no labarik-feto sira liuhusi revizaun ba progresu no haree ba aselera implementasaun inisiativa Spotlight iha ámbitu rekuperasaun Covid-19 no inundasaun sira foin daudaun ne'e. Dili,18 Junho 2021: Governu Timor-Leste, Uniaun Europeia (UE), Nasoins Unidas, organizasaun sosiedade sivíl, no parseiru sira husi inisiativa Spotlight ne'e hala'o sorumutuk ohin hodi halo revizaun ba progresu, aprova relatóriu anuál tinan 2020 nian, no buka input sira kona-ba adaptasaun programátiku sira ne'ebé presiza hodi hatán ba risku violénsia ne'ebé aumenta hasoru feto no labarik-feto sira iha momentu rekuperasaun husi pandemia Covid-19 no inundasaun. Sorumutuk datoluk Komisaun Pilotajen Nasionál nian ne'e kuaze organiza husi Sekretaria Estadu ba Igualdade no Inkluzaun no husi Koordenador Rezidente Nasoins Unidas nian. Sorumutuk ne'e halibur reprezentante sira husi Ministériu, munisípiu, Uniaun Europeia, ajénsia ONU sira hamutuk ho sira-nia parseiru organizasaun sira, no sosiedade sivíl. Inisiativa Spotlight ne'e hahú iha fulan-janeiru tinan 2020, no substansial kontribui ona ba prevensaun no hatán ba violénsia hasoru feto no labarik-feto sira. Liu 268,000 feto no labarik-feto sira, ka 21% hosi totál populasaun, hetan benefísiu hosi programa ne'e iha tinan kotuk. Iha mós ema na'in 550,000 liu husi média sosiál. “Ha’u hakarak hato’o ha’u nia sinseru apresiasaun ba esforsu hotu ne’ebé ita-boot sira halo ona. Maski, ita hotu hasoru dezafiu barbarak tanba limitasaun movimentu kauza hosi COVID-19, Serka Sanitária no inundasaun foin lalais ne’e, maibé ita konsege halo progresu ne’ebé signifikante tebes hanesan rezultadu ne’ebé ita haree iha aprezentasaun ohin. Ita hetan respota pozitivu la’ós hosi sekretariadu iha Nova Iorke de’it maibé mós hosi nivel rejionál nian. Ida-ne’e rekoñesimentu ida di’ak tebes no ha’u fiar katak hamutuk ho ONU no Uniaun Europeia, ita sei hadi’ak di’ak liután implementasaun programa iha periódu tuir mai,” dehan Sekretária Estadu ba Igualdade no Inkluzaun, Maria José da Fonseca Monteiro de Jesus.  Nu'udar rezultadu husi mobilizasaun komunidade, advokasia, hametin sistema, no hadi'a konsiénsia, violénsia bazeia ba jéneru (vbj) relata no responde aumenta maka'as ona. Parseiru sira Spotlight nian suporta ona feto no labarik-feto sira liu na'in 3,500 iha munisípiu foku sira ne'ebé relata violénsia fíziku / seksuál no buka tulun legal. Kazu liu 1,319 husi gbv mós relata ba ofisiál Justisa sira - kuaze númeru kazu dala rua kompara ho tinan kotuk iha munisípiu sira ne'e. Nune'e mós, sobrevivente feto na'in 60 no feto violénsia nian no sira nia família hetan apoiu husi inisiativa Spotlight liu husi koñesimentu, informasaun, no kapasitasaun. Liu husi intervensaun mudansa hahalok sira, programa ne'e mós involve no halo advokasia ho mane no labarik mane sira atu sai agente ba mudansa. Iha tinan 2020, inisiativa Spotlight ne'e serbisu hamutuk ho parseiru Governu nian sira, inklui PNTL, Ministériu Edukasaun, Ministériu saúde, Konfederasaun Sindikatu, Kámara Komérsiu no Indústria sira, associariariariaria empresarial das Mulheres, no Sekretaria Estadu formasaun profisionál atu apoia feto no labarik-feto sira hasoru forma violénsia hotu-hotu. Reprezentante sektor públiku liu 800 mak hetan ona treinamentu. Parseria sira-ne'e mós dezenvolve ona ho organizasaun sira ne'ebé serbisu ho grupu marjinalizadu sira, liuliu ema LGBT sira, komunidade no ema ho defisiénsia sira, atu hadi'a sira-nia asesu ba servisu sira. Iha Timor-Leste, inisiativa ne'e implementa hosi ajénsia ONU na'in lima (ILO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, no UN Women) ho kolaborasaun ho sosiedade sivíl no parseiru Governu nian sira. Programa ne'e daudaun ne'e apoia projetu sosiedade sivíl hamutuk 22 ne'ebé reprezenta organizasaun parseiru 33 iha nivel Nasionál no munisípiu tolu (Viqueque, Bobonaro, no Ermera). Liu USD 2.48 milloens kompromete ona ba projetu hirak ne'e. Inisiativa Spotlight ne'e mós apoia parseiru xave Governu nian sira liuhusi apoiu tékniku no finanseiru. Embaixador Uniaun Europeia nian ba Timor-Leste dehan: "ha'u orgullu ho servisu ne'ebé Governu hala'o ona, ajénsia ONU nian sira no organizasaun sosiedade sivíl nian durante tinan dahuluk iha implementasaun inisiativa Spotlight nian. Apezarde tempu Covid19 ne'ebé difisil, ular-oan barak, labarik-feto, labarik-mane, mane no grupu minoria sira sosiedade nian hetan ona informasaun, treinamentu no servisu sira. VBJ seidauk elimina, maibé dalan ne'ebé estabelese ona no Uniaun Europeia kontinua komprometidu maka'as atu suporta Igualdade jéneru no empoderamentu feto. Ha'u hatene, imposivel atu realiza ida ne'e sein kompromisu no kompromisu hosi Governu Timor-Leste no organizasaun sosiedade sivíl sira. " Globalmente rekoñese katak violénsia dala barak akontese iha situasaun emerjénsia no dezastres naturais tanba fó perturbasaun ba servisus, destruisaun ba Infra-Estruturas, dezlokamentu, no limitasaun asesu ba servisus referénsia. Maske restrisaun no restrisaun sira ne'ebé taka ona hodi hatán ba Covid-19 no inundasaun sira foin daudaun ne'e, asaun hasoru VBJ sei sai nafatin hanesan prioridade aas ida ba Governu, Nasoins Unidas, UE no parseiru sira iha Timor-Leste. "Feto no labarik-feto sira iha Timor-Leste iha risku boot liu ba violénsia durante pandemia Covid-19 no nu'udar rezultadu husi inundasaun sira, halo sira sai vulneravel liutan. Governu no instituisaun xave sira iha responsabilidade atu ajuda asegura katak ema sira ne'e seguru, hetan apoiu di'ak no katak direitu fundamentál hotu-hotu nian, liuliu feto, labarik-feto no grupu vulneravel sira, hetan protesaun efetivu. ONU iha Timor-Leste sei kontinua servisu hamutuk nafatin ho komunidade sira, Governu, no parseiru sira atu rezolve no elimina violénsia oi-oin hotu hasoru feto no labarik-feto sira," hateten Koordenador Rezidente Nasoins Unidas nian Roy Trivedy. Hatán ba inundasaun sira no iha apoiu ba rekuperasaun Covid-19 nian, ekipa Spotlight no parseiru sira proposta ona mós atu halo diverisaun ba programa fundus balu hodi garante seguransa ba feto no labarik-feto sira. Enkontru ne'e explora fila fali osan dolar amerikanu 500,000 husi orsamentu inisiativa ne'e nian ba medida sira protesaun jéneru no protesaun nian iha Governu nia okos no parseiru umanitária sira nia planu resposta konjunta ba inundasaun. Reprograma nebee propoin ona hodi kobre sistema referénsia fundus, servisu no fornesimentu saúde reprodutiva, dignidade, no apoiu psiko-sosial ba feto, labarik feto no sira nia família ne'ebé afetadu. -END- -Remata- NOTES TO EDITORS The Spotlight Initiative, launched in September 2017, is a multi-year global partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. It represents an unprecedented global effort to invest in gender equality and women's empowerment as a precondition and driver for achieving sustainable development goals. In the Pacific, the situation is particularly worrying. In some countries in the region, 76 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Most affected are marginalised women and girls facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.  In Timor-Leste, the Spotlight Initiative was launched on 5 March 2020. It is being implemented through five UN agencies (ILO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women), in support of the Government, and in close collaboration with the civil society, the World Health Organization (WHO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the UN Human Rights Advisor's Unit (HRAU).  The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative in Timor-Leste is that women and girls enjoy their right to a life free of violence, within an inclusive and gender equitable Timor-Leste. The programme is aligned to the Timor-Leste "National Action Plan on Gender based Violence (NAP GBV) (2017-2021)" and National SDG Roadmap. It contributes to the elimination of domestic violence/ intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) by responding to the needs of women and girls and addressing the underlying causes of violence against women and girls, using a multi-sectoral and intersectional approach across the ecological model.  This involves strengthening and widening partnerships and solidarity across civil society, Government, media, private sector and development partners. The Initiative empowers individuals, equip institutions at national, sub-national and community levels with the policies, systems and mechanisms to prevent and respond to VAWG, and encourage the public to challenge harmful gender norms. Using innovative approaches, the Spotlight Initiative builds a social movement of diverse advocates and agents of change for gender equality and social inclusion.  The Spotlight initiative deploys targeted, large-scale investments to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific. For more information about the Spotlight Initiative, visit https://spotlightinitiative.org

Dili, TIMOR-LESTE, 01 JUNE 2021: The Government, together with humanitarian  partners, officially launched a Joint Appeal to address the residual humanitarian  needs for the most vulnerable affected people and assist with early-recovery efforts in Timor-Leste. The appeal requests US$32.7 million (US $8.8m for immediate needs  and US$23.9 for short-term requirements) that will directly assist 65,000 people and  indirectly benefit all flood-affected population. A multi-sectoral response, the appeal  identifies priority activities to address critical gaps across 9 sectors: Camp  Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Emergency Shelter; Water,  Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Gender and Protection; Food Security; Nutrition;  Health; Education; Early Recovery and Livelihoods; and, Emergency Logistics.  The Government has allocated US$65.2 million through the Contingency Fund while  the humanitarian partners including the United Nations, have so far committed  US$10.7 million to support the response efforts. However, following the rapid  assessments that have been completed, critical funding gaps still remain to meet  the priority needs of the flood-affected communities and to kick-start the recovery  process.   Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, H.E. Ms. Adaljiza Magno in her opening  remarks stated that despite the significant efforts from the Government side to  deliver the emergency needs to flood affected populations as well as increasing the  contingency fund to implement short and long term programs to recover from the  calamity, there are still considerable funding gap need to be filled. Therefore, H.E.  Minister, on behalf of the government, calling upon for a voluntary contribution in  order to help Timor-Leste to scale-up measures to recover from the catastrophic  disaster.   The 2021 Timor-Leste Floods Response Plan will facilitate a coordinated by the  Government and the humanitarian partners focusing on the next 7 months from end- May to end-December 2021 with the aim of supporting a sustainable recovery and  helping lay the foundations for ‘Building Back Better’.   The plan was jointly developed by the Government of Timor-Leste with support from  the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and all humanitarian partners. A copy of the  detailed Joint Appeal is available at  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lBoh1Cr10dTiMiG2Sh5W4OXqoDmyzEpy/view?usp =sharing. Under the Government leadership, more than 86 organisations – 9 UN  agencies, 63 humanitarian partners, and 14 Ministries/Departments – will participate  in the 7-month Joint Response Plan ending in December 2021.   The latest official figures, show that 33,835 households have been affected by the  floods across all 13 municipalities, with 44 reported fatalities.   Extensive damages have been reported to houses, buildings (including health  facilities and COVID-19 quarantine and isolation centres), public infrastructure and  agricultural land. A total of 2,163 hectares of agricultural land have been affected,  negatively impacting food security in the coming days.   This disaster comes when the country has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent  months. The temporary displacement of people poses an increased threat to the  further spread of COVID-19 and outbreak of other diseases.   United Nations Resident Coordinator Roy Trivedy emphasised that “it is imperative to  speed up the delivery of assistance to Timor-Leste at this critical stage to prevent  further loss of lives, additional damage to essential public services and  infrastructure, and to stop the spread of diseases.” He also highlighted the fact that  “this tragedy has hit at a time when the country is already struggling with the  dangerous situation caused by COVID19.”  This Response Plan aims to directly target the humanitarian and early recovery  needs of approximately 65,000 flood-affected people living with existing  vulnerabilities. All flood-affected populations are expected to benefit directly and  indirectly from the response, including rehabilitation of critical public infrastructure  and restoration of essential services. In line with the Secretariat of State for Civil  Protection’s Flood Response Strategy, the plan will prioritise support to those who  remain in the evacuation centres, support the safe return and early recovery of those  who were temporarily displaced and since returned to their communities.   -END  BACKGROUND NOTE FOR EDITOR  JOINT NEWS RELEASE  On 23 April, the National Parliament approved the amendment to the 2021 General  State Budget to respond to the impact of COVID-19 and the flooding, which the  President subsequently promulgated on 4 May. The allocation to the COVID-19 Fund  increased from USD 31 million to USD 287.6 million, while the Contingency Fund  allocation increased from USD 23.8 million to USD 65.2 million.   Many humanitarian partners and donors have supported the flood response through  humanitarian funding and/or repurposing existing resources. In solidarity with the  affected people of Timor-Leste, more donors, including the private sector, have been  mobilising resources in support of the flood-affected people. Over USD 10.73 million  of additional humanitarian funding has been mobilised by donors, UN agencies,  humanitarian partners and the private sector.   The second phase of the humanitarian response, namely support to livelihoods and  early recovery has started, including emergency cash-for-work initiatives, inputs  schemes, and infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction. At the request of the  Government, partners are preparing to support the Government with longer-term  recovery planning through a Household and Building Damage Assessment (HBDA), a  Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PNDA), and a Crop and Food Security  Assessment Mission (CFSAM). These assessments aim to provide more  comprehensive country-wide information to inform longer-term recovery and  reconstruction of flood-affected households, communities, and agricultural lands.   During the Emergency Development Partners’ Meeting called by the Government on  13 April, the Government and the humanitarian partners agreed on the need for a  strongly coordinated floods response, under the leadership of the Government. The  2021 Timor-Leste Flood Response Plan, therefore, is positioned as a tool to facilitate  a coordinated floods response by the Government and the humanitarian partners  (incl. donors), focusing on the initial 9 months to address the immediate  humanitarian and early recovery needs of the most vulnerable affected people. Once  the findings of a more comprehensive assessment of damages and losses become  available, the Government and partners may consider developing a medium-term  recovery plan in line with the Government’s commitment to Build Back Better.  

Today we mark the 19th anniversary of the day the people of Timor-Leste took control of their country (‘kaer rasik kuda talin’) and charted the course of their future. With extraordinary effort and determination, the East Timorese people rebuilt their nation, consolidated peace, ushered in an era of peace, development and human rights, and became an inspiration to many other nations. Roads, homes, schools, livelihoods and public institutions were established. The first country to re-gain independence in the 21st century, Timor-Leste has matured and contributed to global peace, development, and security over the past 19 years while also safeguarding the welfare of its citizens. The United Nations has played a significant role in supporting the democratic process and sustainable development in Timor-Leste. We are proud to have stood side by side with the people of Timor-Leste in their most challenging moments and to have helped lay the foundations for a prosperous and democratic future. On behalf of the UN Country Team, I present our tribute to the people of Timor-Leste for their courage and perseverance, which you have all shown on the path to re-gaining independence. Today’s independence day is a day of pride for all. The United Nations will continue to support the people and Government of Timor-Leste through these difficult times - caused by COVID-19 and the floods. Together with the Government, the people of Timor-Leste, and all friends of the country, the UN will also continue to strive for a better, more sustainable future for all. Wishing all a happy Restoration of Independence Day. Long live Timor-Leste!

  DILI, 04 May 2021: EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in Timor-Leste has dedicated USD100,000 by reprogramming its budget to address the risks of increased violence against women and girls during flood emergency and response.  The Government of Timor-Leste, the European Union, and the United Nations, together with partners including the civil society organisations, remain committed to protecting and supporting women and girls during the humanitarian crisis caused by nonstop rains and heavy land sliding recently. According to the official estimates, more than 31,000 households have been affected across the country, 3925 people currently displaced, and 41 people have been reported dead. Evidence shows that violence is often exacerbated in emergencies and natural disasters due to disruption of services, destruction of infrastructure, displacement, and limited access to referral services. “In any natural disaster, women, girls and other vulnerable components of the society are the most affected due to pre-existing inequalities. The recent flooding in Dili and other municipalities has not only caused damage to people's homes, their belongings and public infrastructure but has recorded a total of more than 40 fatalities. The Government appreciates the reallocation of budget from the spotlight programme to support those affected, particularly women, girls and other vulnerable components", stated Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion, Maria José da Fonseca Monteiro de Jesus.   In response to the humanitarian disaster in Timor-Leste and increased risk of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative has diverted USD100,000 to respond to the immediate needs of women, girls and vulnerable groups. Gender-based violence (GBV) is widely recognised as one of the most prevalent concerns in Timor-Leste, with almost 2 out of every 3 women (15-49 years) reporting having experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. “The dramatic flash flooding has caused extensive damages throughout the country and claimed the lives of many. Consequences have a far-reaching impact on everyone, on their health, their socio-economic wellbeing, and on their rights. Through the Spotlight Initiative our partners are shifting programming to scaling up support to civil society organisations on the front line of response, ensuring that services not only stay open but are made more accessible to groups often left behind. The European Union stands by the people of Timor-Leste at this time of suffering and remains committed to protecting and supporting women in Timor-Leste”, said the European Union Ambassador Andrew Jacobs. The redirected funding will be used to disseminate information on the prevention of GBV and the referral systems, provide psychosocial support, basic food and non-food items to women, girls, and the vulnerable people that are survivors of GBV. The reprogramming will also provide technical guidance to the rapid gender assessment of the flooding, support monitoring and evaluation activities, and strengthen the GBV emergency response in the revised National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence (NAP GBV). “During humanitarian crises, the burden on women and girls generally increases. Their workloads, childcare and other caring and support roles within the families are often multiplied. If they are running or working in small businesses, their livelihoods are generally affected. Levels of domestic violence often increase. And they are also affected if legal systems, health and other services stop functioning normally. Governments and key institutions in all societies have a responsibility to help ensure that people are safe, well supported and that the fundamental rights of all, especially women, girls and all vulnerable groups are effectively protected”, said Roy Trivedy, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste.   -END- NOTES TO EDITORS The Spotlight Initiative, launched in September 2017, is a multi-year global partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. It represents an unprecedented global effort to invest in gender equality and women's empowerment as a precondition and driver for achieving sustainable development goals. In the Pacific, the situation is particularly worrying. In some countries in the region, 76 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Most affected are marginalised women and girls facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. In Timor-Leste, the Spotlight Initiative was launched on 5 March 2020. It is being implemented through five UN agencies (UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, and ILO), in support of the Government, and in close collaboration with the civil society, the World Health Organization, International Organization for Migration, and the UN Human Rights Advisor’s Unit. The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative in Timor-Leste is that women and girls enjoy their right to a life free of violence, within an inclusive and gender equitable Timor-Leste. The programme is aligned to the Timor-Leste "National Action Plan on Gender based Violence (2017-2021)" and National SDG Roadmap. It will contribute to the elimination of domestic violence/ intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) by responding to the needs of women and girls and addressing the underlying causes of violence against women and girls, using a multi-sectoral and intersectional approach across the ecological model. This will involve strengthening and widening partnerships and solidarity across civil society, Government, media, private sector and development partners. The Initiative will empower individuals, equip institutions at national, sub-national and community levels with the policies, systems and mechanisms to prevent and respond to VAWG, and encourage the public to challenge harmful gender norms. Using innovative approaches, the SI will build a social movement of diverse advocates and agents of change for gender equality and social inclusion. The Spotlight initiative deploys targeted, large-scale investments to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific. For more information about the Spotlight Initiative, visit https://spotlightinitiative.org For media inquiries, please contact Marino Mouzinho, Media Adviser, Office of the Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion. Email: marinosmouzinho@gmail.com Marina Rini, Communication Officer, EU Delegation. Email:mmarina.rini@gmail.com Ahmed Saleem, Communications Officer, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office. Email: mohammed.saleem@un.org