United Nations in Timor-Leste

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Timor-Leste:

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24 June 2022

ASPIRING TO MAKE A 'BIG LEAP' IN TIMOR-LESTE'S DEVELOPMENT: THE VITAL ROLE OF GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND WHY WE NEED TO ACT NOW!

Since the restoration of independence on 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste has made considerable progress on socio-cultural, political and economic rights. However, the post-COVID-recovery in the wake of higher food and energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine has compounded existing gender inequalities making it imperative to centre stage women and girls to build back better. It is also clear that the country needs to maximise all its resources (human, financial, environmental and knowledge) and assets to achieve better outcomes for all, including children, the LGBTIQ persons, the elderly, and the disabled. Despite a strong commitment to equality in Timor-Leste, violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains pervasive, with estimates from 38% to 59% of women experiencing violence in their lifetime. The 2019 Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicates that the VAWG is a significant structural barrier to the country's development. In his inauguration speech, newly-elected HE President Jose Ramos Horta emphasised the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment as a fundamental prerequisite for inclusive national development and building a resilient democracy. Timor-Leste has already made significant progress in addressing inequalities through legislation, policy development, institutional mechanisms, and raised public awareness. The second National Action Plan on Gender-based Violence, pending approval from the Council of Ministers, commits to ending gender-based violence through a multi-sectoral, comprehensive and coordinated approach. The NAP GBV has been developed following the national laws and international commitments of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the International Convention on the Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Social and Economic Rights (ICSER) and the Convention on the Rights of the Children (CRC). Timor-Leste has adopted the Women's Economic Empowerment Strategy and National Social Protection Policy as fundamental policies that complement women's agency. However, the national development plan (the SDP) recognises that more remains to be done and establishes several critical priorities. Furthermore, the draft Second NAP GBV is supported by findings of an assessment from the preceding NAP, whereby more significant action is needed to audit the gendered impact of legislative changes on the development and well-being of women. Recognising women in their multiple and intersectional socio-economic and political identities is also imperative. It would be good to know, for example, the representation of women's voices in the design of the Cesta Basica programme, the $200 levy on poorer households, the push to reduce malnutrition in the country and the Bolsa de Mae Generation Foun. While we are looking at how women's participation and empowerment can be further championed in Timor-Leste, we must build on the good progress that has been achieved. Currently, Timor-Leste has one of the highest rates of women parliamentarians in the world and the highest in the Asian/Pacific region. The President of the National Parliament promulgated a new Village (Suco) Law in July 2016 to have at least one woman per Suco as Suco Chief. We must ensure now that the upcoming elections leverage the momentum the country has built on to prepare communities, especially aspiring women representatives. For effective implementation of policies, further strengthening the capacity of the national women's machinery and various ministries are vital, as also emphasised through the recently revised National Action Plan of Gender-Based Violence (NAP GBV). Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations today. It is a significant obstacle to fulfilling women's and girls' human rights and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The United Nations in Timor-Leste remains committed to working with the Government to address the long-term impact of the pandemic and addressing existing structural barriers to gender equality through multiple interventions, including EU-UN Spotlight Initiative and Equality for All initiatives, among others. Led by the Government and together with partners, we will continue responding to all forms of VAWG, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence, sexual and gender-based violence, harmful practices, femicide, trafficking, and all forms exploitation in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the principle of 'leaving no one behind.' It would also be essential to acknowledge that gender inequality has deep socio-cultural roots and manifests in non-linear ways. Therefore, it will require a coordinated, comprehensive, multi-sectoral and lifecycle approach. Which essentially means a Whole of Government, womb to tomb approach. It is time to consider setting up a National Women's Empowerment Fund with a 20-year plus timeline because the piecemeal approach has not worked so far. Additionally, we urgently need to focus on three key areas – implementation of legislation, social protection, and gender-responsive financing: Laws are already there. Weaker implementation is a barrier. If the State is able to ensure the implementation of these laws, this will ultimately improve the protection of women and girls, leading to the upholding of women's rights. A long-term social protection scheme will provide effective mechanisms to reduce the vulnerabilities of women and girls, leading to their empowerment and participation. Gender-responsive budgeting is a critical part of the Public Financial Management agenda and will improve the social and economic situation of women and girls by ensuring a fair allocation of resources With a gender-champion leadership at the helm of affairs in the country and in the context of Timor-Leste's bid for a bigger and better global repositioning and expansion of the economy, we have a historical opportunity to include women and girls in the much-needed sustainable economic diversification and leverage Timor-Leste's interest for regional integration, while leaving no woman and girl behind. If there was ever a better time to promote gender equality agendas and incorporate gender perspectives throughout the wide range of challenges we confront in Timor-Leste and the Pacific region, it is now! -END-

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10 May 2022

Solidarity to End Violence

Viqueque, Timor-Leste. The two-day ‘Do No Harm’ workshop on ethical and safe approach when responding to cases of gender-based violence (GBV) was held on March 30, 31 in Viqueque, Timor-Leste. The ‘Do No Harm’ workshop aims to promote better understanding of the nature of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) which interlinks with mental health of the survivors, and supports local communities to adopt ‘Do No Harm’ approach, namely ethical and safe method when respond to cases of VAWG. The workshop has been conducted in three municipalities, Bobonaro, Ermera and Viqueque, lectured by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), local authorities and Justice Institutions that work closely on VAWG and GBV. At the seminar, the participants including school teachers and students are encouraged to share their experiences when dealing with GBV cases and survivors, and discuss about how they can improve local community to response and prevent the VAWG. Irene Kobesi works as the PNTL (Policia National Timor-Leste) First Sergeant in Vulnerable Person Unit (VPU), supporting survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). She said “I participated in the ‘Do No Harm’ workshop, because, as a VPU officer, my duty is to protect women and girls.” At the workshop, interconnections between VAWG and mental health of the survivors were underlined to understand the wider perspective of VAWG: survivors are harmed not only when they received violence, but also when they receive indiscreet questions about the sexual violence during the judicial process. https://youtu.be/ilSYHxHS7Cc During the seminar, it was emphasized that people’s better understandings of VAWG and cooperation from local authorities are necessary to eliminate VAWG at the community level. Maria Odete do Amaral, a Chief of Village in Viqueque, stated “I really wanted to join this seminar because this is essential for me as a community leader. I can share what I learned in this seminar with my community, and those who experienced violence, mostly women and girls.” While “Prevention of domestic violence can start from family. If we have knowledge in VAWG, domestic violence can be prevented in the early stage. If we solve family issue with violence, our children never learn how to solve problem without violence” addressed by Jose Delima, a Coordinator of Public Defender. In Timor-Leste, climate change also exacerbates cases of VAWG. In the interview, Irene shared her experience in the flash floods during March 29th -April 4th 2021, resulted in disastrous landslide that produced more than 15,000 internally displaced people right after the disaster. “Last year, we experienced the catastrophic flood. Some people were traumatized, because they didn’t have place to live, and experienced violence from their partners. We provided support to those who suffered from both flood and violence. If their houses are not safe to live, we contacted local authorities to provide them an emergency shelter.” To respond and prevent VAWG, a bottom-up approach to adopt ‘Do No Harm’ at the community level is essential, because the causes of the violence are deeply connected to the social context of Timor-Leste. “Together, we can end violence against women and girls” concluded Irene. By Fidelia Mendonca, Ayumi Kimura

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Irene Kobesi, a police officer working with the Vulnerable Person’s Unit (VPU). She joined the ‘Do No Harm’ seminar to strengthen her knowledge of ‘Do No Harm’ approach. Photo: UNDP/ Ayumi Kimura

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18 April 2022

Historical insights, sustainable and inclusive development: What they might mean for us now and for the future

An essential first step is perhaps to help people clearly define what type of national development people of Timor-Leste would like to see in their country The United Nations is here to support the government and the people of Timor-Leste. The SDGs and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offer evidenced-based and solution-based directions for an inclusive, prosperous and sustainable future for all.
With the second round of the Presidential Elections imminent, it has been an interesting and exciting past week, thinking about now as well as the future of the country. Irrespective of the people’s decision for either of the candidates, the President’s ‘father-of-the-nation’ role entails a key guiding role that contributes to strengthening the economy, political systems, collaborations, and reconciliation in the wake of the COVID-19 fallout and critical development challenges facing the country.
In the past week, I had the privilege of joining an exciting and insightful online webinar featuring an interview with Professor Jeffrey Sachs on Accelerating Progress on SDGs in Malaysia . The interview –skillfully moderated by my friend and colleague UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia and Singapore, Ms Karima El Korri – was organised by the Sunway University and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), part of a global network of universities and institutions promoting sustainable development practices. Incidentally, we (the UN) are assisting the University of Timor-Leste to join this Network soon. As always, Professor Sachs covers a lot of historical ground and makes fascinating connections between social and economic progress and many global challenges that the world faces today. He starts by drawing attention to the combination of events that contributed to global economic growth in the period after 1776 (imperialism, the industrial revolution, the role of fossil fuels, self-interest, the dominance of market economies and many other factors).
Professor Sachs points out that “…one of the reasons the world is struggling to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels is that we have had 200+ years of economic growth based on a reliance on fossil fuels and market economies. The powerful forces behind fossil fuels are pervasive and shape almost every aspect of our lives. So, breaking that dependence and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and shifting towards carbon-neutral growth may take years, possibly decades.” This is why governments and development institutions need to prepare long-term plans now and to ensure that these are practically progressed annually for this critical global transition. He notes that sadly even after the past decade of rising global temperatures and changing global weather patterns contributing to more frequent and devastating environmental disasters, as well as the loss of biodiversity and the COVID-19 pandemic, we have yet to see many governments, industries and international institutions develop and implement robust long-term (20-year plus) plans for zero carbon growth. As the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) has said on many occasions (see: https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/ipcc-report-climate-change/) ‘time is running out’! “…one of the reasons the world is struggling to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels is that we have had 200+ years of economic growth based on a reliance on fossil fuels and market economies. The powerful forces behind fossil fuels are pervasive and shape almost every aspect of our lives. So, breaking that dependence and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and shifting towards carbon-neutral growth may take years, possibly decades.” By making a powerful case for the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) as the guiding principles for a better, more sustainable world for all, he advocates for “six big transformations” that he believes are essential for nations in the Asia-Pacific region (all of whom, according to data from ESCAP, are ‘off-track in terms of progress against the SDGs’ (see: https://data.unescap.org/data-analysis/sdg-progress.) The Asia-Pacific region is home to 60% of the global population, so if the world is to achieve the SDGs by 2030, it is vital that this region achieves the progress that is needed. The six transformations that Professor Sachs’ identifies are: (i) Quality Education for all; (ii) Health for all; (iii) Energy and industrial transformation; (iv) Sustainable land use (and one might add, especially for small island states and many others sustainable use of oceans); (v) sustainable cities; (vi) Digital transformation. While also emphasising the vital importance of gender equality and inclusion, Professor Sachs’ makes a personal plea for increased women’s leadership globally and in all spheres to accompany and accelerate the transformations needed to create a better world for all. This presentation made me reflect on the work that the UN is supporting in Timor-Leste and elsewhere. How can we better support political leaders, governments and key institutions in the countries we serve to develop serious, long-term, inclusive, and sustainable plans for climate action and carbon-neutral growth? And more importantly, how can we more effectively support the development and implementation of long-term plans for such transformations? An essential first step is perhaps helping people clearly define what type of national development they would like to see in their country. In my conversations with some Timorese citizens, I have heard friends and colleagues say that they would like Timor-Leste to be more like Singapore. I wonder, however, which aspects of Singapore’s development people in Timor really value. If that is a ‘model’ that Timorese citizens want to emulate, how can we start to chart a path to move from where we are now to foster a model of development that benefits and creates a better, more sustainable future for all? And critically, how can we ensure that progress is measured year-on-year to safeguard a better future for all?

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15 March 2022

Children in Grade 1 inspired to learn by peer mentors in Timor-Leste

Around forty children between the ages of five to seven sit in small groups on a large verandah and in classrooms at the Eskola Basic Filial (EBF) Matata school in Ermera Municipality. All of them are completely engrossed in books that they occasionally point to as they emphasize a detail or show each other some of the illustrations. The setting is a school in the Ermera Municipality, where the UNICEF supported ‘Ready to LEAP’ (Learn, Engage, Achieve, Progress) programme, introduced in 2019 with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, is helping children have a smooth transition from home to formal schooling. Similar activity is being conducted at ten other basic education schools in Ermera and Liquica municipalities. The initiative helps children who enrolled in grade 1 or those repeating grade 1 to get additional support from the school, their parents, families and other students (peer mentors) to build up their confidence and prepare to continue learning in a school-based setting. Trained peer mentors play a key role in inspiring younger children to learn. UNICEF Timor-Leste/2020/Dmaia Grade 3 students involved as young mentors to Grade 1 students in EBF Matata, Ermera municipality. In a country where only 27 per cent of children are enrolled in preschools, and where the grade 1 repetition rate is 19 per cent, initiatives such as these make a big difference in inspiring younger children to transition smoothly into school-based learning. To date, the school readiness programme has benefitted 1,314 students in grade 1 classes and enabled 439 students between 10 -11 years old from eleven basic education schools to take part in this initiative as peer mentors. So as not to interrupt learning for peer mentors, these sessions take place every Saturday. The training for teachers and peer mentors at the school in Ermera was initially conducted in 2019 in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. However, the rollout of the programme was interrupted by COVID-19 related school closures. Most of the trained peer mentors from Grade 5 and Grade 6, who usually take part in this initiative, had also already graduated or were busy preparing for their final examinations. However, the EBF Matata basic school introduced new ideas to keep the programme running. Teachers from EBF Matata school started engaging with Grade 2 and Grade 3 students who were once beneficiaries of the programme in 2019, to train and help them become peer mentors themselves and help inspire younger children to learn. “I feel so happy and proud when the teacher asked me to be a young facilitator. Since joining this programme, I have become much closer to grade 1 students and have become friends with them” said 10-year-old Davio Bosco Cardoso UNICEF Timor-Leste/2022/LRangel A peer mentor takes part in an interview through phone call to help other children continue to learn. Nine-year-old Merelia de Francia Mali Goncalves expressed her excitement at being part of the programme “I feel so proud because I am like a teacher for them, I make them feel happy, to be diligent, and they come to the school every day. So it is a great feeling,” she says. At the beginning of the programme, teachers accompanied the peer mentors and supported them until the mentors were capable of running the activities on their own. As the programme progressed, teachers say the peer mentors got over their initial shyness and became more confident to speak up and lead the sessions. “This is not only benefitting the Grade 1 students. After taking a role as peer mentors, the literacy and numeracy skills of the mentors also improved, and so did their social skills, for example, understanding ways to solve problems, or how to communicate with friends and manage time,” said Lurdes Rangel Goncalves, a teacher at the EBF Matata School in Ermera. With additional funding from UNICEF Australia, the ‘Ready to LEAP’ programme will continue in 2022 and 2023 in 30 more schools in five municipalities. These would incorporate additional inclusive and sustainable approaches, including supporting the participation of children with disabilities.

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17 May 2023

Timor-Leste's rising cigarette prices, access to cessation centres prompt smokers to quit

However, with the rising cost of cigarettes and concerns about his health, he began to consider quitting. Last December, Gaspar came across a banner promoting a tobacco cessation center, which prompted him to make a visit. “After I registered at the center, a counselor spoke to me at length about my smoking habit, noted down the history, and prescribed nicotine gums for a week,” said Gaspar, who visited the Formosa Cessation Clinic in Dili. The clinic, under the Ministry of Health, is the first WHO-supported cessation center to open in October 2021. Timor-Leste today has four such WHO-supported cessation centers. During his follow-up visit, Gaspar was prescribed the nicotine gums for three weeks, and thereafter for one month. He has had six follow-up visits till date. “Initially, I would require one strip of nicotine gums in a day, but my craving has gradually reduced,” said Gaspar, who now consumes one strip in two to three days. Nicotine gums, patches, lozenges, or nasal sprays are prescribed as a part of Nicotine Replacement Therapy, that helps smokers attempting to quit. Gaspar, a freelance artist, started smoking because it was “trendy”. “There were so many advertisements on television about smoking. It just seemed to be a cool thing to do. All my friends smoked too,” he said, recalling how he walked to high school and saved the money his parents gave for the public transport to buy cigarettes. A healthcare worker interacts with a young man at the Tobacco Cessation Centre in Formosa Health Centre in Dili. This WHO supported cessation center opened in 2021. Photo: WHO Timor-Leste Two decades ago, the brand of cigarettes Gaspar smoked cost around $1 for a pack of 20. Today, it costs $3.50, and Gaspar smoked two packets a day. “On days when I was meeting my friends, I smoked four to five packs. It became an expensive habit due to the increasing price,” he said. To reduce the use of tobacco, WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control endorses the strategy of making tobacco products less affordable through increased taxation. In Timor-Leste, which has one of the world’s highest smoking rates, the excise tax on tobacco was increased by 163% in January 2022 from $19/kg to $50/kg. In January 2023, the tax was hiked further to $100/kg. This considerably impacted the cigarette prices. Gaspar made around $80 a week but landed up spending half of his earnings on cigarettes. “It definitely pinched and became a point of daily arguments with my wife,” said the father of five, adding that he also became concerned with increasing shortness of breath during his singing performances and while cycling.

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03 May 2023

Timor-Leste campaign aims to promote breastfeeding in all sectors and raise awareness

The campaign, launched on 17 April by President of Timor-Leste Dr. José Ramos-Horta, aims to improve the breastfeeding rates in the island nation. Consider this: More than half of the newborns don’t receive breastfeeding within the first hour of delivery, and nearly 36% of Timorese children between 0-5 months are not exclusively breastfed, according to the Timor-Leste Food and Nutrition Survey 2020. The Ministry of Health, with support from partners like the World Health Organization; United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Alola Foundation hopes to change these statistics into a positive curve. We spoke to WHO Representative to Timor-Leste, Dr. Arvind Mathur, to know more about the campaign. Excerpts: What prompted the launch of the national breastfeeding promotion campaign? Dr. Mathur: The country statistics on breastfeeding was definitely a trigger. While deliberating on these statistics, the WHO, Ministry of Health, and other partners began thinking about ways to promote breastfeeding throughout the year, and not just during the annual World Breastfeeding Week in August. That’s when the thought about a national breastfeeding promotion campaign began to take shape. This campaign aims to adopt a system strengthening strategy, focusing on the WHO’s health system building blocks. Please explain: Dr. Mathur: The WHO uses an analytical framework to describe health systems with the help of six core components or the building blocks- leadership and governance, service delivery, health system financing, health workforce, access to essential supplies/services and health information systems. The campaign aims to strengthen each of these blocks from the perspective of breastfeeding. For example, under the health information systems’ block, the campaign’s focus is to strengthen reporting of data on breastfeeding and review performance on indicators like early initiation of breastfeeding. Similarly, under the health workforce block, the campaign focuses on building capacities so that all healthcare workers have required knowledge on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) and are re-sensitized to promote breastfeeding at all levels. WHO Timor-Leste along with the MoH and partners have drafted a detailed plan covering all these aspects. Launch of the National Breastfeeding Promotion Campaign on 17 April 2023 in Dili. WHO Photo/Cirilo Danis The Government of Timor -Leste has recently promulgated the National Code for regulating marketing of breastmilk-substitutes. What are the next steps that the campaign aims to drive? Dr. Mathur: With the recent adoption of the national breastmilk substitutes (BMS) Code for Timor-Leste, we are now looking at the next step of building awareness on the principles and objectives of the national BMS Code, as well as initiate monitoring on implementation of the Code. Further the campaign also aims to intensify the advocacy on introduction of paid maternity leaves for six months across sectors, ensuring dedicated breastfeeding spaces in all places of work, integration of nutrition in pre-service curriculum for medical and nursing students among others. What should be the ultimate aim of such a campaign? Dr. Mathur: Our primary objective is to significantly increase awareness of the importance of breastfeeding by multiple folds. Every pregnant woman or a new mother must know about the benefits of colostrum (the first milk produced by the mother) feeding and every woman must know about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Women and families must demand initiation of breastfeeding at healthcare facilities within the first hour of childbirth, individuals and institutions must extend practical support to mothers to continue exclusive breastfeeding and communities must demand breastfeeding spaces at workplaces. With the help of the campaign, we want to reinforce the fact that the onus of breastfeeding lies not only with the woman but with all the others who are a part of her life- be it her husband, in-laws, parents, colleagues, or employers. And more importantly, we want these conversations to be mainstreamed across all sectors.

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03 May 2023

Timor-Leste's health workers use digital tools to assess immunization coverage

The Ministry of Health has deployed 64 health workers who are conducting interviews with people using digital questionnaires, and the mobile application directly feeds the data into the Timor-Leste Health Information System (TLHIS), which is the national health management information system. Real-time monitoring with the use of digital technologies can lead to more efficient data collection and analysis, and Timor-Leste's initiative to digitize the immunization coverage survey is a positive step forward. "Digital tools have the potential to fast-track processes," said Dr. Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste. "There will definitely be some challenges in the beginning, but these technologies will go a long way in strengthening the health systems," he added. The survey in Timor-Leste has a two-pronged objective: to assess the coverage of the national integrated immunization campaign that took place from 12 January to 3 March 2023 and to assess the coverage of routine immunization during the years 2021 and 2022 when COVID-19 disrupted services. The TLHIS has ensured that all data from the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), integrated campaign and the survey, is available on the same platform for analysis and decision making along with the other health information The integrated campaign was a catch-up drive targeting children from 0 to 5 years with the Measles Rubella vaccine (MR), Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV), Vitamin A supplements, and deworming tablets. Preliminary data indicated that the campaign achieved over 95% coverage of the vaccines in all districts of Timor-Leste. "It is commendable that the campaign has achieved the desired coverage, but we have to assess the data to ensure that we have an accurate picture," said Dr. Mathur. "The results of this ongoing survey will provide us with the true picture," he added. Participants attend the two day workshop on conducting the survey, data collection and use of digital questionnaires in March 2023. Photo: WHO Timor-Leste/Emilia Moniz The 64 health workers were trained by WHO Timor-Leste for data collection and the use of digital questionnaires. The WHO also collaborated with the Instituto Nacional da Estatística, the national institute of statistics in Timor-Leste, which helped in identifying 194 enumeration areas and mapping 5044 households across the country to conduct the survey. The trained health workers then visited homes, examined immunization records, and interviewed individuals, parents, or caregivers about the immunizations received, recording the responses on the digital questionnaire. The survey is now in its final leg, and WHO experts will conduct the final analysis in May 2023. The use of digital tools to assess immunization coverage in Timor-Leste is a progressive step towards achieving more efficient data collection and analysis, which can strengthen the health system. “We hope that this survey establishes a robust framework that can be utilized for conducting numerous surveys in various public health domains in the future,” said Dr. Mathur.

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21 March 2023

92% children covered under deworming drive in three municipalities in Timor-Leste

Dili: A deworming drive undertaken in three municipalities in Timor-Leste with high prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH) has achieved 92% of its target. Of the 87,298 targeted children in 246 schools, as many as 79,209 received deworming medication -albendazole- under the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) drive held in October-November 2022 in Dili, Manufahi and Lautem. This successful deworming campaign was organized under the Say No to 5S project, a collaborative effort between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the project has made a significant impact in reducing the prevalence of STH in the targeted areas. The project supports the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports (MoEYS) to focus on improving the health and nutrition of Timorese children by tackling Starvation, Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis, Skin diseases, Smoking, and Sugary/Alcoholic Drinks. The outcome of the deworming drive was shared at an evaluation workshop held in Dili on 17 March. “Achieving 92% target is commendable,” said Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste. “The Say No to 5S project has two key outcomes. Firstly, school-aged children are free of priority diseases and major risk factors, including malnutrition or wasting. Secondly, schools are upgraded to provide a safe and healthy environment, as well as safe and nutritious school meals,” he added, emphasizing that the WHO has been closely working with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to achieve these outcomes. According to a 2001 World Health Assembly resolution, regular treatment of at least 75% of school-age children for the control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in high transmission areas is a recommended strategy. Timor-Leste’s current achievement is therefore much higher. Joaquim Martins, the national director of School Social Action of the MoEYS, lauded the collaborative efforts and underlined the need of a wider implementation of deworming drives. Dr. Frederico Bosco Alves dos Santos, National Director of Public Health of MoH, said that the workshop was an important exercise to evaluate the progress made on the ground and derive useful lessons for the future deworming activities.

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92% children covered under deworming drive in three municipalities in Timor-Leste

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21 March 2023

WHO set to boost Timor-Leste’s defenses for infectious diseases with new Korean grant

Dili: The Government of Timor-Leste and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have signed an important agreement for a grant dedicated to strengthening the country's preparedness and response against infectious diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) Timor-Leste will be a key partner in providing the required technical support and implementing the programs and initiatives under this project. The grant agreement signing ceremony was held on 16 March in the presence of the Minister of Finance, HE Dr. Rui A. Gomes, Vice Minister of Finance, HE Antonio Freitas, Vice Minister of Health, HE Bonifácio Maucoli dos Reis, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Republic of Korea, Jinum Hong, KOICA Country Director, Eunju Cha, and WHO Representative, Dr. Arvind Mathur, among other dignitaries. Timor-Leste, a small island country in Southeast Asia, remains vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks due to its limited health infrastructure, sub-optimal capacity of health systems, and high poverty rates. The COVID-19 pandemic underlined the need to strengthen Timor-Leste's preparedness and response to fight existing infectious diseases as well as emerging diseases. "The strength of any nation lies in the health and well-being of its people," said Dr. Gomes at the signing ceremony. "That is why we welcome this generous support from the Korean people in conjunction with the WHO," he added. Dr. Gomes also acknowledged KOICA’s previous contribution towards the 'Say No To 5S' project that aims at improving the health and nutrition of Timorese children by tackling Starvation, Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis, Skin diseases, Smoking, and Sugary/Alcoholic Drinks. The Vice Minister of Health, Mr. Reis, said that the support from KOICA will go a long way in increasing the coverage of health programs and reducing the mortality rate related to infectious diseases. WHO Representative Dr. Arvind Mathur echoed his thoughts. "Infectious diseases pose a significant threat to global health security. They can spread rapidly, causing widespread illness, death, and economic disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how important it is to be prepared for such events," he said, assuring that the WHO is committed to executing the project successfully. While KOICA will provide the financial grant of over $5.7 million, another $420,000 will be contributed by the WHO. The project will run up to 2026 and will support the development of sustainable systems for timely detection and control of outbreaks, strengthen defenses at the points of entry at the borders, develop epidemiology training programs and electronic, web-based reporting systems, strengthen laboratory capacities among other interventions.

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WHO set to boost Timor-Leste’s defenses for infectious diseases with new Korean grant

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Press Release

10 March 2023

Government and development partners advocate for removal of technological barriers facing women and girls in Timor-Leste

The forum’s other objective was to promote inclusive and transformative technologies and innovations for advancing gender equality; including in ending gender-based violence, promoting women’s economic empowerment, equal access to justice and improving women’s participation in leadership and politics. The event, held at Hotel Timor on March 9, brought together thought leaders and representatives from the National Parliament, line ministries in health, justice, education sectors, UN agencies, development partners and technology agencies among other participants. The forum was in line with IWD 2023 theme “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” which aligns with the upcoming 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67) themed “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.” Technology has the potential to foster economic growth and to expand access to education, information and knowledge; and to give voice and power to those furthest left behind and those whose voices were not traditionally heard; thereby enhancing participation in public life and democratic processes. Although digital innovations can promote gender equality and women empowerment, they can also widen the gender digital gap -- particularly to women and girls. UN Women Head of Office, Ms. Amy Nishtha Satyam, during her closing remarks, reiterated the significance of the continuous promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment. “Timor-Leste should step forward and strive to expand the dialogues on gender-transformative technology, enventually, increasing accessibility and equity in public service delivery for all. Indeed, it is critical that these changes should be accompanied by policies that remove the barriers of social norms and ensure women's participation in the digital economy and electronic governance.” said Ms. Amy Nishtha Satyam. In Timor-Leste, progress has been made towards the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. For example, increasing women’s representation in decision making roles at national level, the number of women engaging in the field of technology, the existence of women’s engineering group, and the laws, policies and programs that the National Government has implemented in the past decade to promote equal rights -- regardless of sex or age. However, there is still a wide gender gap in enrollment in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, access to digital technologies, and representation of women in leadership and decision-making roles. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in the Asia-Pacific region, despite progress towards narrowing the gender gap, a 6% gender gap in internet usage persists. Similarly, UN Women’s Gender Snapshot 2022 report warns that the loss emanating from excluding women from the digital world will grow from 1 trillion to 1.5 trillion by 2025 – from the gross domestic product of low and middle-income countries in the last decade if not addressed. Additionally, while digitalization represents significant opportunity, it is also a space through which harm may be perpetrated. At least 38 per cent of women globally have personally experienced online violence and the rate is rising. Certain groups of women are at a higher risk of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (GBV) because of what they do, who they are or if they access certain information and services. This includes women journalists, politicians, women activists and feminists, academics and young people for example. Of those adolescent girls who do have access to digital technologies, 64 per cent are high users and are particularly vulnerable to technology-facilitated GBV. UNFPA Regional Director, Mr. Björn Andersson, during his opening remarks, emphasized the need to prioritize the generation and use of data and evidence through digitalization and innovation, and the formulation of strategies to strengthen the digital safety and inclusion of women and women-led organizations for their meaningful engagement in social and economic development. “It is important for governments to utilize and invest in digital technologies to tackle harmful gender norms and deep-seated inequalities while investing in young people and protecting the safety and rights of women and girls to express their voices. "While digital innovations can promote gender equality and women empowerment, we must remain vigilant of the gender digital gap that technologies can create -- particularly to women and girls. Leveraging on digital innovations for gender equality requires a multi-sectoral approach,” said Mr. Björn Andersson. Timor-Leste has celebrated International Women’s Day since 1976. This year, the Secretariat of State for Equality and Inclusion (SSEI) has also announced the national theme for IWD 2023 in Timor-Leste – “Women Ready to Lead” to promote women’s participation and leadership in politics, particularly in the upcoming Parliamentary Election, and to celebrate women leaders using technology and innovation to advance women’s role and voice in the decision-making. Timor-Leste aims to accelerate all efforts towards harnessing digital transformation to benefit and empower those in vulnerable positions. In this sense, the IWD dialogue provided a multi-stakeholder platform for the strategic exchange of good practices and progressive measures to remove critical “digital barriers” facing women and girls in Timor-Leste. For more information, contact: Suleiman Okoth Communications and Programme Support Specialist United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Timor-Leste Mobile: +670 75169796, Email; okoth@unfpa.org

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Press Release

08 March 2023

EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in Timor-Leste launches Safe Space to support survivors of gender-based violence

This Safe Space is the third centre established in the country as part of the global EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and girls. Having Safe Spaces within the health sector is critical to identify GBV cases, providing medical care to women and girls who are survivors of violence and referring them to other essential services, such as shelters, counselling centres or specialized medical care. Key guests during the event included HE Dr. Odete Maria Freitas Belo, Minister of Health, H.E. Armanda Berta dos Santos, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Mr. Björn Andersson, UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Director, and H.E. Marc Fiedrich, EU Ambassador to Timor-Leste, among other dignitaries. " Spotlight Initiative is the largest multilateral effort globally and in Timor-Leste to end violence against women and girls, which sits at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals, the world's roadmap and commitment to achieve peace and prosperity. The United Nations is proud of working hand-in-hand with the EU and partners to support the Government in addressing deep-rooted gender inequalities, strengthening policy frameworks, and creating safe and enabling spaces for women and girls", said Funmi Balogun, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste. “The EU is glad to support the Government by providing an adequate place that will allow survivors of violence a way to seek support. A confidential environment where victims can have new possibilities for healing, prevention, and empowerment, contributing to creating a more just and equal Timorese society where gender-based violence is not tolerated”, said H.E. Marc Fiedrich, EU Ambassador to Timor-Leste. Speaking during the launch, Mr. Björn Andersson, UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Director, noted: "The role of the health sector is central to ending all forms of gender-based violence, given that health service providers are usually the first point of contact for the survivors. I am very pleased to be part of the launch of the Safe Space at the Community Health Centre in Ermera, an important step towards strengthening the health sector's ability to prevent and respond to gender-based violence." -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 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 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 eliminating domestic violence/ intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) by responding to the needs of women and girls and addressing the underlying causes of violence against them, 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 encourages 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 For media inquiries, please contact: Ahmed Saleem, Communications Officer, UN Resident Coordinator's Office. Email: mohammed.saleem@un.org Suleiman Okoth, Communication and Programme Support Specialist, UNFPA. Email: okoth@unfpa.org Akito Ximenes, Press and Information Officer, EU Delegation to Timor-Leste. Email: Akito-Francisco.DE-JESUS-XIMENES@eeas.europa.eu

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Press Release

24 January 2023

The world is failing 130 million girls denied education: UN experts

“The world is failing 130 million girls denied the human right to education – a fundamental, transformative, and empowering right for every human being. Universal access to quality education enables individuals, communities, countries and the world to build wellbeing and prosperity for all. All States have made commitments to realise the right to education for all, but fewer than half of the world’s countries have achieved gender parity in primary education. Denying girls and other vulnerable groups their fundamental right to education is discrimination at its most debilitating. It impoverishes our world as it deprives us of the creativity, ingenuity and contributions of more than half of humanity. Today, our thoughts are with the women and girls of Afghanistan in particular, as it is the only country in the world that prohibits education beyond primary level for women and girls. We condemn the discriminatory policies of the de facto authorities in Afghanistan who have barred women’s and girls’ access to secondary schools, universities, and other centres of learning, and repeat our call to the authorities to urgently end these illegal restrictions. They amount to abuse that not only harm women and girls, but are also seriously damaging the country and its future. We urge the international community to do everything in its power to have these policies reversed. Education is a life-long learning process that actively contributes to building just, peaceful and sustainable societies. On this International Day of Education, we call upon all States to take concrete steps to rectify gender and other disparities that prevent the enjoyment of this fundamental right for all.” ENDS *The experts: Ms. Farida Shaheed took office as Special Rapporteur on the right to education on 1 August 2022 following her appointment by the Human Rights Council. She is the Executive Director of Pakistan’s leading gender justice organization, Shirkat Gah - Women’s Resource Centre. She also served as a member of Pakistan’s National Commission on the Status of Women, and as the first Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights from 2009 to 2015. Mr. Richard Bennett is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan. He officially assumed duties on 1 May 2022. He has served in Afghanistan on several occasions in different capacities including as the Chief of the Human Rights Service with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Ms. Dorothy Estrada-Tanck (Chair), Ms. Elizabeth Broderick, Ms. Ivana Radačić (Vice-Chair), Ms. Meskerem Geset Techane and Ms. Melissa Upreti, Working Group on discrimination against women and girls. The UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls was created by the Human Rights Council in 2010 to intensify efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls throughout the world in collaboration with all concerned stakeholders. The Working Group is composed of the five aforementioned independent experts. The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. For inquiries and media requests, please contact: Mylène Bidault (mylene.bidaultabdulle@un.org) For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org) or Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org)

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Press Release

21 January 2023

UN Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste congratulates the country for becoming a member to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

“It is an important decision of the Government of Timor-Leste as the Convention underlines the universality of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the right of persons with disabilities to the equal and effective enjoyment of these legal guarantees, in a way that is respectful and accommodating of their differences, including recognizing sex/gender-based differences” said Funmi Balogun, UN Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste. “Persons with disabilities are not ‘objects’ of charity, medical treatment and social protection. Instead, they must be viewed as ‘subjects’ with rights, agency and who can claim those rights and make decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent, as well as being active members of society,” Ms. Balogun added. The UN Country Team in Timor-Leste hopes that the accession to the Convention will provide a strong legal basis for the guarantee of equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in Timor-Leste through the elimination of all those barriers which exclude or restrict their full participation. “The United Nations in Timor-Leste stands ready to assist the Government in this regard, as well as to support persons with disabilities and the civil society organizations that represent them, to promote inclusion and advocate for the implementation of the provisions enshrined in the Convention, now that it has entered into effect in Timor-Leste,” UN Resident Coordinator noted. -END- FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES Ahmed Saleem Head of Communications, UN Resident Coordinator's Office Email: Mohammed.saleem@un.org

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Press Release

15 December 2022

NEWLY APPOINTED UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR MS FUNMI BALOGUN PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

Dili, TIMOR-LESTE, 15 December 2022 - The newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator (RC), Ms Funmi Balogun, presented her letter of credence to Her Excellency Adaljiza Magno, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in a meeting held at the Minister's Office earlier today. Ms Adaljiza welcomed Ms Balogun to Timor-Leste and congratulated her on the appointment. The Foreign Minister expressed confidence that Timor-Leste & UN relations will further deepen under her leadership. She thanked the UN System for its continued support of implementing the country's development priorities and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. During the meeting, the new Resident Coordinator expressed her honour to have been designated by the UN Secretary-General to represent the UN System in a country. "It is indeed a privilege that I have been assigned to serve Timor-Leste, which has hugely contributed to peace, democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression as one of the world's youngest countries," noted the UN Resident Coordinator. Ms Balogun added that she was looking forward to supporting the country and fostering an 'enabling environment' for a new era of 'national ownership & leadership' of sustainable development. The UN presence in Timor-Leste consists of 21 resident and non-resident agencies. Ms Olufunmilayo Abosede Balogun-Alexander has more than 30 years of experience working on and leading sustainable development, peace, and humanitarian portfolios at a senior level within the United Nations and international organisations. -END- BACKGROUND NOTE FOR THE EDITOR Prior to her appointment as United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms Balogun-Alexander served as Head of Humanitarian Normative and Coordination Action, UN Women, where she led UN Women's global response to humanitarian crises and supported UN Women Country Offices to strengthen gender mainstreaming in UN-led Humanitarian Coordinated response in crisis-affected countries. Before that, she worked as UN Women Country Representative to UN Women, Deputy Representative, UN Women Ethiopia, Director, External Relations and Advocacy, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Africa Region and Kenya Programme Manager for the UN Development Fund for Women. Ms Balogun-Alexander led and supported multi-functional teams at the country level to be fit for purpose and to achieve impact and results, particularly on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. She led UN inter-agency coordination to coordinate joint assessments and develop and implement joint UN programmes on gender-based violence, governance and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. She has coordinated national support and government priorities for development and social policy funding, including co-creating and driving solutions around pressing challenges, including gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and minority groups, to ensure that no one is left behind in achieving the SDGs. Ms Olufunmilayo Abosede Balogun-Alexander has established and maintained strategic partnerships with governments, intergovernmental commissions, bilateral donors, media and the private sector for innovative funding and programmes. Ms Balogun-Alexander has a master's degree in Gender and Development from the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK and a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She has two children.

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