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21 September 2023
Leapfrogging into 2030 – Options and Opportunities for Timor-Leste
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21 September 2023
Avansa to’o 2030 - Opsaun no Oportunidade ba Timor-Leste
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Press Release
07 September 2023
UN Population Fund Goodwill Ambassador, Catarina Furtado, visits Timor-Leste to support maternal health, gender equality and human rights
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The Sustainable Development Goals 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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21 September 2023
Avansa to’o 2030 - Opsaun no Oportunidade ba Timor-Leste
Iha tinan 2015, governu sira husi nasaun hotu-hotu, sosiedade sivíl no umanidade tomak foti esforsu boot ida hodi adopta Objetivu Dezenvolvimentu Sustentavel (ODS) - ambisiozu, haree ba oin, no atu hetan liuhusi parseria no konsensu - ho objetivu atu hasai ema husi kiak, hamenus dezigualdade, no rezolve kestaun sira seluk ne'ebé limita ita-nia potensialidade; atu proteje ita-nia planeta, ita-nia uma, husi mudansa klimátika no dezastre sira ne'ebé kauza husi ema; atu hetan prosperidade ba ema hotu-hotu, hamenus dezigualdade, hamenus modelu konsumu, promove igualdade no justisa, atu nune'e ema hotu-hotu, maske iha sira-nia sirkunstánsia, Bele moris no moris-di'ak; promove ko-ezisténsia pasifika no mundu ida-ne'ebé la iha konflitu; no buat hotu-hotu ne'ebé sei realiza liuhusi parseria - hanesan, respeitu, la iha diferensa bazeia ba nasaun ida-ne'ebé boot, ho ema hotu-hotu iha lian no partisipasaun iha futuru.
Semana ida-ne'e iha Nova Iorke, hahú husi 16 Setembru 2023, mundu ne'e halibur fali hodi marka pontu balun husi ODS sira no diskute dalan sira atu aselera implementasaun ODS sira-ne'e. No ho konkluzaun ne'ebé triste teb-tebes katak ita la'o sai husi dalan atu atinje ODS sira. Iha mundu tomak, iha pandemia COVID, ne'ebé taka mundu, estraga ekonomia no hatudu ita-nia interligasaun; funu foun sira ne'ebé sa'e maka'as; susar ba multilaterizmu no konsensu atu rezolve krize sira ne'ebé urjente liu iha mundu; ameasa emerjente sira husi governu sira ne'ebé eleitu demokrátiku; falta konfiansa ba governu sira ne'ebé eleitu; intoleránsia ne'ebé aumenta maka'as; todan ba tusan boot; dezempregu no inkapasidade atu absorve foin-sa'e sira ba ekonomia. Ita haree hela problema ida-ne'ebé boot kona-ba direitus umanus ne'ebé ita hotu hanoin rezolve ona; diseminasaun notísia falsu no informasaun ne'ebé la loos liu husi média sosiál sira, ho ideolojia perigozu sira sai hanesan "faktu"; Tragédia sira ne'ebé hamosu mudansa klimátika ne'ebé la iha rohan no klaru katak la iha satisfasaun ho asuntu globál no dezigualdade sira ne'ebé aumenta - iha nasaun sira-nia laran, entre nasaun sira no ema sira-nia laran. Tuir mai iha númeru ne'ebé boot katak sei lori tinan 500 tan atu alkansa igualdade jéneru no haree duni feto no labarik-feto sira hanesan ema ho direitu hanesan.
Maski la iha tempu ne'ebé di'ak liu atu moris - teknolojia aprezenta ona oportunidade no transformasaun ne'ebé hakfodak hodi inventa, inovasaun, ligasaun, ne'ebé la eziste de'it iha tinan 50 liubá; iha labarik barak liu ba eskola kompara ho tempu ne’ebé deit iha istória; demokrasia barak liu; muda norma sosiál ne'ebé la'o ba oin no bazeia ba direitu. Ita haree ona aumentu iha Artifisiál Intelijénsia no oportunidade sira ne'ebé aprezenta ona, konsensu globál ne'ebé boot tebes no hakarak loloos atu salva ita-nia planeta; oportunidade foun sira ba kreximentu ekonómiku ne'ebé di'ak no sustentavel no emerjénsia husi bloku podér foun sira iha Global Sul, ko'alia no dezafia ba injustisa istórika sira, enkuantu ezije fatin ne'ebé justu liu - iha negosiasaun finanseira sira, inklui reestruturasaun instituisaun finansiamentu globál sira, iha komérsiu no justisa klimátika. Sira ne'ebé sempre iha direitu marjinál - feto, LGBQTI+, ema ho defisiénsia, joven - hotu-hotu luta hasoru violénsia no diskriminasaun.
Hanesan Exelensia, Prezidente Repúblika, Jose Ramos-Horta, envolve hela iha konversasaun globál no pozisaun lideransa Timor-Leste nian iha Nova Iorke ba Simeira ODS nian, ne'e mak tempu di'ak atu reflete kona-ba oportunidade sira ba tinan 7 oin mai. Ha'u-nia fiar dezde ha'u to'o iha Timor-Leste fulan 9 liubá, no hafoin dekade rua hetan independénsia no dedikasaun atu harii fali nasaun ida-ne'ebé destruída, mak Timor-Leste hanesan nasaun ida-ne'ebé iha oportunidade atu avansa no atinje kreximentu dezenvolvimentu ba ajenda 2030 nian. Timor-Leste, maske iha istória ida-ne'ebé difisil, pasífiku no estavel, ho lideransa ida-ne'ebé konfia, ne'ebé hili husi eleisaun regulár no la-kontroversiál ida ho eleisaun parlamentár ikus ne'ebé hetan susesu iha nasaun ne'e no estabelesimentu governu konstitusionál IX ne'ebé lidera husi S.E., Primeiru-Ministru Xanana Gusmão. Timor-Leste kontinua hatudu respeitu ba direitus umanus, iha instituisaun sira ne'ebé forte, inklui governasaun, nia pozisaun no influénsia iha asuntu internasionál maske ho nia dimensaun, membru ida-ne'ebé iha valór no adere ba padraun internasionál liu husi membru Nasoins Unidas, CPLP, fundador/membru g7+, relasaun bilaterál forte ho nasaun sira iha mundu tomak, no nia estatutu observador atuál ASEAN nian. Nia iha rekursu sira hosi Fundu Petróleu ne'ebé jere didi'ak, atu koko solusaun inovativu sira ba dezenvolvimentu.
Timor-Leste mós sai hanesan nasaun primeiru entre nasaun sira seluk ne'ebé kompromete ona ba Ajenda Dezenvolvimentu Sustentavel tinan 2030 no hahú kedas, nasaun ne'e halo ona revizaun nasionál voluntáriu rua (VNR), ne'ebé foin lalais ne'e aprezenta ona iha Forum Politiku Nivel Aas (HLPF) iha fulan Jullu tinan ida-ne'e.
Maibé, iha kestaun boot sira ne'ebé presiza rezolve. Enkuantu fokus ne'ebé loos mak kona-ba saida mak asuntu sira-ne'e - taxa kreximentu ne'ebé aas ba kapitál umanu husi tinan 2002 to'o 2022; 70% dependénsia ba importasaun ai-han, 40% dezempregu, 48.3% pobreza multidimensional ne'ebé agrava inseguransa ai-han no taxa malnutrisaun ne'ebé aas, 47% husi labarik sira ne'ebé seidauk to'o tinan 5 sofre stunting, rezultadu edukasaun ne'ebé fraku, dezafiu ba infraestrutura no konetividade, seidauk iha fokus sufisiente ba “oinsá” - sistema revizaun kona-ba oinsá dezafiu hotu-hotu nia interasaun, liu husi aproximasaun integradu no koordenadu. Ida ne'e atu orienta oinsá rekursu sira implementa la'ós de'it atu alkansa efisiénsia no efikásia, maibé atu eskala intervensaun sira liuhusi solusaun sira ne'ebé sei rezulta rezultadu eskala, nesesáriu atu alkansa ODS sira. Dezafiu la'ós atu identifika problema sira, maibé atu identifika sistema saida mak presiza troka no oinsá atu intervén ho diferente.
Iha dalan balun ne'ebé Timor-Leste bele avansa no halo iha tinan 7 oin mai.
Primeiru, estabelese objetivu dezenvolvimentu, inklui apoiu husi asisténsia dezenvolvimentu, tenke koordena maka'as iha lideransa governu nian okos. Aprosimasaun ida-ne'ebé integradu husi parseiru governu/dezenvolvimentu sira hotu ne'ebé koordena ona ba planeamentu, prioritiza, identifika populasaun no munisípiu sira ne'ebé presiza liu, orientasaun finansiamentu no eskala tenke sai nu'udar prioridade absoluta.
Porezemplu, planeamentu no intervensaun sira kona-ba uma rurál sira labele hala'o sein análize integradu kona-ba oinsá atu fornese uma rurál sira mós bele uza atu alkansa asesu ba bee, saneamentu, asesu ba kuidadu saúde no edukasaun, uza dadus no evidénsia ne'ebé forte kona-ba saida mak funsiona, inklui atrai tipu investimentu no teknolojia oin-oin hodi alkansa meta sira. Esforsu atu hamenus mortalidade labarik no inan nian, inklui hamenus malnutrisaun no stunting, tenke iha pelumenus empoderamentu feto nian.
Porezemplu, iha estimativa katak feto isin-rua hamutuk 40,000 kada tinan iha Timor-Leste, no ho koordenasaun, planeamentu no alokasaun ne'ebé loos ho valór USD28M kada tinan, feto hamutuk 28,000 ne'ebé reprezenta 70% sei simu kuidadu ante-natal, ema na'in 32,000 ne'ebé reprezenta 80% sei hetan atende husi asistente partu ne'ebé iha kualifikasaun, ema na'in 36,000 ne'ebé reprezenta 90% sei simu kuidadu pos-natal no asesu ba servisu planeamentu familiár ne'ebé sei lori ba alkansa objetivu sira husi ODS kona-ba mortalidade inan nian hamutuk 70/100,000 mortalidade inan iha 2030 no se feto sira simu planeamentu familiár hodi loke espasu ba oan, sei hamenus stunting 50%.
Planeamentu dezenvolvimentu ida-ne'ebé koordena sei rekere konsisténsia, espesializasaun téknika adisionál ne'ebé ajénsia ONU sira lori ba meza no tenke halo ho instituisaun governu relevante hotu-hotu, parseiru dezenvolvimentu bilaterál no ajénsia ONU - atu hala'o planeamentu konjuntu, identifika responsabilidade sira bazeia ba vantajen komparativu, identifika fonte finansiamentu, oinsá atu atrai finansiamentu adisionál, konkorda hamutuk kona-ba saida mak atu halo, oinsá atu halo monitorizasaun no importante liu, saida mak sei atinje eskala.
Segundu, oportunidade ba finansiamentu ba dezenvolvimentu labele depende de'it ba finansiamentu públiku. Tenke identifika fonte finansiamentu seluk ba objetivu dezenvolvimentu nian iha maneira koerente, estratéjiku no kona alvu. Enkuantu orsamentu governu nian ba tinan 5 oin mai identifika ona prioridade no orsamentu sira, ida-ne'e mesak de'it labele finansia realizasaun ODS sira-nian. Sei iha nafatin nesesidade atu halo kustu finansiamentu hodi alkansa ODS sira iha períodu tinan 7 nia laran no finansiamentu adisionál saida mak bele hetan asesu. Ida ne'e sei la'ós de'it fo rezultadu lalais no kresimentu ekonómiku maibé sei garante estabilidade ba Fundu Petroliferu. ONU iha istoriku iha konvoka konversasaun kona-ba finansiamentu inovativu, inklui kona-ba finansiamentu bazeia ba rezultadu, iha ne'ebé investidór sira selu fali governu ba rezultadu espesífiku sira kona-ba edukasaun no alvu saúde nian. Diálogu hirak-ne'e atu halibur parseiru tradisionál no investidór privadu sira, instituisaun finansiamentu multilaterál sira kona-ba identifika fatin ne'ebé mak iha sentidu atu investe iha Timor-Leste, la'ós de'it atu kria empregu maibé atu kria emprezariedade lokál (franchising, cadeia de valór, asesu ba teknolojia, rekursu, abilidade, dijitalizasaun) ne'ebé sei responde ba dezafiu sosiál sira. Konversasaun sira-ne'e mós sei identifika dalan konkretu ba investimentu no finansiamentu, ho objetivu klaru no vontade polítika ne'ebé forte, atu hasai bloku sira-ne'e. Porezemplu, PNUD dezenvolve ona mapa investidór ODS ba nasaun sira iha Azia (Malazia, Tailandia, Sri Lanka, etc.), ajuda governu sira-ne'e atu identifika oportunidade ba investimentu privadu sira atu alkansa ODS no identifika investidór privadu/sosial potensiál sira, enkuantu suporta governu sira atu kria ambiente ida-ne'ebé bele fasilita.
Terseiru, tenke iha esforsu konsultadu ida no rekursu inisial sira ba dijitalizasaun no abilidade sira ne'ebé liga ho kriasaun empregu. Planu kona-ba kriasaun empregu ba foin-sa'e sira tenke foka liu ba kriasaun empregu dijitál sira. Planu ne'e tenke dezeña bazeia ba enkuadramentu adaptativu ida atu identifika abilidade téknika no dijitál ne'ebé presiza no númeru ema ne'ebé disponivel ba abilidade hirak-ne'e, atu aselera kapasitasaun ekonómika, rekoñese dezafiu kontinu sira iha sistema no infraestrutura sira, dezenvolve enkuadramentu formasaun tékniku no dijitál ida, hahú husi inisiu, identifika iha ne'ebé mak abilidade hirak-ne'e sei implementa no sustenta no sistema monitorizasaun ida-ne'ebé forte ne'ebé deliberadu - mak planu ne'e bele lao?
Ba dala haat, protesaun ba direitus umanus no dezigualdade sira ne'ebé iha ligasaun tenke sai sentrál ba foti desizaun kona-ba dezenvolvimentu. Asesu ba servisu ho kualidade no abilidade atu iha abilidade no instrumentu atu hadi'a kondisaun moris, liuliu ba ema ne'ebé vulneravel liu, nu'udar direitu fundamentál ne'ebé sidadaun sira tenke iha kbiit atu ezije, no governu nu'udar ema ne'ebé kaer devér, tenke fornese hanesan baze atu alkansa objetivu dezenvolvimentu no kria pás sustentavel ho maneira inkluzivu no la-diskriminatoriu.
Ikusliu, buat hotu iha leten labele akontese sein reforma governasaun - setór públiku ida-ne'ebé ativu, kapasitadu no adekuadu ho kapasidade atu orienta desizaun polítika sira, maibé konsistente no apolitiku nafatin. Sistema jestaun finanseira públiku ida-ne'ebé halo monitorizasaun ba despeza governu nian ne'ebé hale'u alkansa meta sira no la'ós de'it despeza no prestasaun servisu sira no permite foti desizaun lalais iha nivel foti desizaun ne'ebé aas liu, suporta mudansa lalais iha aprosimasaun sira bainhira presiza no hamenus duplikasaun la'ós de'it atividade sira maibé iha funsaun no instituisaun sira.
Ha'u hakarak atu ramata ho subliña dalan balun ne'ebé ONU no ninia ajénsia espesializada sira bele kontinua fó apoiu ba governu no povu Timor-Leste hodi alkansa ODS sira. ONU nia vantajen komparativu mak iha nia baze koñesimentu ne'ebé luan husi Timor-Leste no globalmente, atu fornese konsellu polítika imparsiál no neutral, inklui uza bid data (hanesan sensus). Ajénsia ONU nian, iha koordenasaun husi Koordenador Rezidente ida-ne'ebé iha kapasidade, bele fó apoiu ba governu hodi fasilita finansiamentu adisionál, inklui liuhusi investimentu sosiál sira, atu konvoka fasilita parseria rejionál no globál sira, eskala projetu pilotu sira- kona-ba saúde, nutrisaun, transformasaun sistema ai-han, hapara stuntung labarik sira no mortalidade inan no iha fornesimentu abilidade sira kona-ba kriasaun empregu. ONU nia papél normativu no apoiu ba governu nu'udar xave atu asegura katak governu kontinua kumpre nia responsabilidade direitus umanus, promove igualdade jéneru no empoderamentu feto sira-nian, no mós halo relatóriu kona-ba konvensaun ONU nian ne'ebé Timor-Leste asina - hotu-hotu importante atu fasilita realizasaun Programa Governu IX nian ne'ebé lori ba ODS.
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21 September 2023
Leapfrogging into 2030 – Options and Opportunities for Timor-Leste
In 2015, governments of all nations, civil society, and humanity as a whole took a giant stride by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - ambitious, forward-looking, and to be achieved through partnerships and consensus - with the aim of lifting people out of poverty, reducing inequalities, and addressing other issues that limit our potential; of safeguarding our planet, our only home, from climate change and human-induced disasters; of achieving prosperity for all, reducing inequalities, rebalancing consumption patterns, promoting equity and justice so that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances at birth, can thrive and prosper; fostering peaceful coexistence and a world without conflicts; and all of this to be accomplished through partnerships – equal, respectful, without distinctions based on the size of a country, with everyone having a voice and a stake in the future.
This week in New York, from 16 September 2023, the world is again gathering to mark the halfway point of the SDGs and discuss ways in which to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. And within the backdrop of the very depressing conclusion that we are completely off-track in achieving the SDGs. Globally, there has been the COVID pandemic, which shut down the world, ruined economies and demonstrated starkly our interconnectedness; new and escalating wars; the rising distrust of multilateralism and consensus to resolve the world’s most urgent crises; the emerging threats of the overthrowing of democratically elected governments; increasing lack of confidence in elected governments; growing intolerance; huge debts burden; unemployment and inability to absorb young people into economies. We are witnessing a growing backlash on human rights that we all thought were settled; dissemination of fake news and misinformation through social media, with dangerous ideologies becoming ‘facts’; unending climate change-induced tragedies and clearly a dissatisfaction with global state of affairs and growing inequalities – within countries, among countries and within people. Then there is the grim figure that it would take us another 500 years to achieve gender equality and truly see women and girls as human beings with equal rights.
Even with all the bleakness around us, there is no better time to be alive – technology has presented astounding opportunities and transformation to invent, innovate, connect, that did not exist just 50 years ago; there are more children in school than any time in history; more democracies; changing of social norms that are more progressive and rights-based. We have seen the rise of Artificial Intelligence and the opportunities it presents, the overwhelming global consensus and genuine desire to save our planet; new opportunities for green and sustainable economic growth and the emergency of new blocs of power in the Global South, speaking up and challenging historical injustices, while demanding fairer playing ground – in financial negotiations, including for the restructuring of global financing institutions, on trade and on climate justice. Those whose rights have always been marginal – women, LGBQTI+, people with disabilities, young people – are all fighting back, against violence and discrimination.
As His Excellency, the President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta, is engaging in the global conversations and positioning Timor-Leste’s leadership in New York for the SDG Summit, this is a good time to reflect on the opportunities for the next 7 years. My belief since I got to Timor Leste 9 months ago, and after two decades of independence and dedicated rebuilding of a then wrecked country, is that Timor-Leste is one of the few countries with the opportunities to leapfrog and achieve development growth in time for the 2030 agenda. Timor-Leste, despite a difficult history, is peaceful and stable, with a trusted leadership, enabled by regular and uncontroversial elections with the country’s last successful parliamentary elections and the establishment of the IX constitutional government under the leadership of HE, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. Timor-Leste continues to demonstrate respect for human rights, has strong institutions, including for governance, its position and influence in international affairs despite its size, a valued member and adherent to international standards through membership of United Nations, the CPLP, founder/member of g7+, strong bilateral relations with countries across the world, and its current observer status of ASEAN. It has the resources from a properly managed Petroleum Trust Fund, to test innovative solutions to development.
Timor-Leste was also among the first countries to commit to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and since then, the country has conducted two voluntary national reviews (VNR), the latest of which was presented at the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in July of this year.
There are, however, major issues that will need to be addressed. While the focus rightly has been on the ‘what’ of the issues – a flat rate of growth for human capital from 2002 to 2022; 70% dependency on food imports, 40% rate of unemployment, 48.3% multidimensional poverty that aggravates food insecurity and a high malnutrition rates, 47% of children under 5 suffering from stunting, poor education outcomes, challenging infrastructure and connectivity, there has not been enough focus on the ‘how’ – systems review on how all the challenges interact, through an integrated and coordinated approach. This is to guide how resources are deployed to not just achieve efficiency and effectiveness, but in scaling up interventions through solutions that will result in scale of outcomes, necessary to achieve the SDGs. The challenge is not about identifying the problems, but in identifying what systems need to change and how to intervene differently.
There are a few ways in which Timor-Leste can leapfrog and make the next 7 years count.
First, setting development objectives, including support from development assistance, must be strongly coordinated under government leadership. An integrated and whole of government/development partners coordinated approach to planning, prioritizing, identifying the most in need populations and municipalities, guiding financing and scale must be an absolute priority. For example, planning and interventions on rural housing cannot be undertaken without an integrated analysis of how the provision of rural housing can also be used to simultaneously achieve rural access to water, sanitation, access to health care and education, using strong data and evidence of what works, including attracting different types of investments and technology to achieve the goals. Efforts at reducing child and maternal mortality, including reducing malnutrition and stunting, must have at the very least, women’s empowerment at its core. For example, there are an estimated 40,000 pregnant women per annum in Timor-Leste, and with right coordination, planning and allocation of USD28M a year, 28,000 women representing 70% will receive ante-natal care, 32,000 representing 80% will be attended to by skilled birth attendant, 36,000 representing 90% will receive post-natal care and access to family planning services which will lead to achievement of SDG targets on maternal mortality of 70/100,000 maternal mortality by 2030 and if the women receive family planning to space their children, will reduce stunting by 50%.
A coordinated development planning will require consistency, additional technical expertise of which UN agencies bring to the table and must be done with all relevant government institutions, bilateral development partners and UN agencies – to undertake joint planning, identify responsibilities based on comparative advantage, identify sources of funding, how to attract additional financing, agree jointly on what to track, how to track and most importantly, what will achieve scale.
Second, opportunities for financing for development must not only rely on public finance. Other sources of financing for development goals must be identified in a coherent, strategic and targeted way. While the government budget for the next 5 years has identified priorities and budget, this alone cannot finance the achievement of the SDGs. There will still be a need to undertake the cost of/financing for achieving the SDGs within a 7-year period and what additional financing can be accessed/mobilized. This will not only fast-track results and economic growth but will ensure stability for the Petroleum Fund. UN has a track record in convening conversations around innovative financing, including on outcome-based financing, where investors repay the government for the achievements of specific outcomes on education and health targets. These dialogues are to bring together traditional partners and private investors, multilateral financing institutions on identifying where it makes sense to invest in Timor-Leste, not just to create jobs but to create local entrepreneurship (franchising, value-chains, access to technology, resources, skills, digitalization) that will concurrently address social challenges. The conversations would also identify concrete roadblocks to investments and financing, with clear targets and strong political will, to remove the blocks. For example, UNDP has developed SDG Investor Maps for countries in Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, etc.), helping these governments identify opportunities for private investments to achieve SDGs and identifying potential private/social investors while supporting governments to create an enabling environment.
Third, there must be a concerted effort and seed resources for digitalization and skills linked to job creation. A plan around job creation for young people must be centred on creating digital jobs. The plan must be designed around an adaptive framework in identifying the technical and digital skills needed and the number of people available for these skills, to accelerate economic empowerment, recognizing the perennial challenges in systems and infrastructure, developing a technical and digital skills training framework, from the start, identifying where these skills would be deployed and sustained and a strong monitoring system that is deliberate – is the plan working?
Fourth, the protection of human rights and bridging inequalities must be central to decision-making around development. Accessing quality services and ability to have the skills and tools to improve livelihoods, especially for the most vulnerable, are fundamental rights that citizens must be able to demand, and the government as duty bearers, must provide as the foundation for achieving development objectives and engendering sustainable peace in an inclusive and non-discriminatory way.
Finally, all the above cannot happen without governance reforms – an agile, capacitated and fit-for-purpose public sector with the ability to guide political decisions while remaining consistent and apolitical. A public financial management system that tracks government spending around achievement of targets and not just expenditure and delivery of services and enables quick decision-making at the highest level of decision making, supporting quick changes in approaches when necessary and reduction in duplication of not just activities but in functions and institutions.
I would like to end by re-emphasizing some ways in which the UN and its specialized agencies can continue to support the government and people of Timor-Leste in achieving SDGs. UN's comparative advantage lies in its extensive knowledge base from Timor-Leste and globally, to provide impartial and neutral policy advice, including using big data (census for example). UN agencies, under the coordination of an empowered Resident Coordinator, can support the government to facilitate additional financing, including through social investments, to convene facilitate regional and global partnerships, scaling up pilot projects– on health, nutrition, food systems transformation, ending child stunting and maternal mortality and in the provision of skills on job creation. UN’s normative role and support to government are key to ensuring the government continues to fulfil its human rights accountability, promotes gender equality and empowerment of women while also reporting on UN conventions of which Timor-Leste is a signatory – all critical to enabling the achievement of the IX Government Programme leading to the SDGs.
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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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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?
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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25 August 2023
South-South cooperation between Timor-Leste and Thailand for midwifery education to bring down maternal mortality
The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, is embarking on improving the quality and standards of midwifery education to bring down the maternal mortality rates in the country, with a potential South-South cooperation with the Government of Thailand and its Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), facilitated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Timor-Leste and Thailand country offices.
To initiate this partnership, a delegation from TICA visited Timor-Leste for a two-day assessment mission to visit midwifery schools; National University of Timor-Leste, Instituto Superior Cristal (ISC) and Health Science Institute (ICS).
Speaking during the opening of a four-day curricula and faculty development workshop for midwifery educators in Dili, ahead of the midwifery assessment mission, Ms. Rachel Smith, a midwifery specialist from Burnet Institute observed: “the impact of midwives is substantial if they are educated, regulated to global standards, and if they are part of midwifery associations”.
With Timor-Leste having one of the highest maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Asia at 195 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to Timor-Leste Demographic Health Survey (TL DHS 2016), the partnership will enable both Thailand and Timor-Leste to leverage on learning experiences through South-South cooperation for safe motherhood.
Similarly, Timor-Leste is set to benefit from Thailand’s experience in providing technical assistance on maternal health and networking with other countries in the region as well as establishing links with TICA.
“In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Timor-Leste National Public Health Institute (INSP-TL), the UN Population Fund has supported midwifery curriculum development and formulation of national guidelines for midwifery training in Timor-Leste, establishment of basic skills laboratories and capacity development of midwifery educators – including their participation in national, regional and international level trainings and workshops,” said Pressia Arifin-Cabo, UNFPA Country Representative in Timor-Leste.
“UNFPA has also supported the National Midwifery Association of Timor-Leste (APTL) with the development of midwifery competency standards that conform to international standards and its registration as a member of International Confederation of Midwives (ICM),” added Pressia Arifin-Cabo.
Midwives are crucial in ending preventable deaths during and after childbirth and achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1 – that aims to reduce global deaths due to complications from pregnancy and child births ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Complications related to pregnancy can be prevented if proper investment in midwifery education is prioritised. In Timor-Leste, UNFPA continues to support midwifery education and the National Midwifery Association of Timor-Leste (APTL) since its establishment.
Through this South-South cooperation, the capacity of teaching faculty in midwifery schools and teaching and learning methodologies will be enhanced by focusing on human resources development activities to increase the quality of care by midwives, therefore improving the quality of life of mothers and babies and end preventable maternal and infant deaths.
For more information, contact:
Suleiman Okoth
Communications and Programme Support Specialist
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Timor-Leste
Mobile: +67075169796, Email; okoth@unfpa.org
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17 August 2023
Empowering healthcare workers with critical care training and collaboration
Dili: On the night of August 1, 2023, Dr. Sandra Paicheco had just started her shift at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Ainaro, a district located around 110 km away from Timor-Leste's capital city, Dili, when she received a frantic call from a relative of a 24-year-old man who had been stabbed in the chest. The patient was brought to the CHC by a government-run ambulance service in an unconscious state and was bleeding heavily. The knife had punctured through his ribs, exposing his lung, putting him at serious risk of a potentially fatal lung collapse. However, thanks to the timely intervention of Dr. Paicheco and her team, the man's life was saved.
“The patient was unconscious but still breathing,” said Dr Paicheco (27). “But it was a challenging situation since we had not encountered this level of trauma before.” Dr Paicheco and her team including three nurses and one midwife assessed the patient’s level of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and started him on oxygen support and intravenous fluids.
Subsequently, she reached out to Dr Raimundo Pinheiro at the National Ambulance and Medical Emergency Service (SNAEM) in Dili for guidance. Dr Pinheiro, a master trainer for the Basic Emergency Care (BEC) training programme in Timor-Leste, noted down the patient’s medical history and then guided Dr Paicheco’s team through a video call to apply the three-way dressing, one step at a time.
Dr Sandra Paicheco (27), a general practitioner posted at the Community Health Centre in Ainaro. Photo: WHO Timor-Leste
“We were able to perform the procedure only because Dr Pinheiro guided us so confidently,” said Dr Paicheco, a general practitioner who graduated in 2022 and has been posted in the Ainaro CHC since March 2023.
A three-way dressing is commonly applied for open chest wounds to prevent air from entering the chest cavity, which can lead to fatal outcomes. After the three-way dressing, a chest tube is inserted to assist the patient in breathing.
In this case, soon after the three-way dressing was completed and the patient stabilized, he was transferred to the Referral Hospital in Maubisse, around 40 kms from the CHC. There, a surgeon inserted the chest tube and transferred him to the national hospital - Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV) - in Dili for observation. Doctors at the national hospital commended the timely and precise application of the three-way dressing, which saved the patient’s life.
STRENGTHENING CAPACITIES THROUGH EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE TRAINING
Timor-Leste, Asia’s youngest nation with a population of approximately 1.3 million, has a fragile public health system. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity to strengthen it. Prior to the pandemic, the country had only six Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds with ventilators – and all in the national hospital in Dili. During the pandemic, the Ministry of Health with support from WHO and other partners established High Dependency Units (HDUs) in each of the country’s five Referral Hospitals. These HDU’s were equipped with essential airway breathing devices, multipara monitors, invasive and non-invasive ventilators, and other critical care equipment.
For the HDU’s to function optimally, training the healthcare providers was essential. WHO provided technical assistance to develop the Emergency and Critical Care (EmCrit) programme to strengthen the skills of the staff already working in the emergency and critical care area. WHO also provided technical support to develop Basic Life Support (BLS)and Basic Emergency Care (BEC) courses tailored to the country’s context.
To date, more than 400 healthcare workers including doctors, paramedics and nursing staff, have undergone BLS training. EmCrit Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training was implemented for emergency care personnel, with over 47 individuals trained so far. The BEC module was extended to HDU and ICU staff, with over 40 healthcare workers trained and 17 designated as master trainers.
Dr Pinheiro, who guided the Ainaro CHC team in the application of the three-way dressing via video call, is one of the 17 master trainers.
The series of trainings have improved communication between healthcare providers in Timor-Leste’s national and referral hospitals and the CHCs. “We are witnessing more doctors from the districts reaching out with queries and seeking assistance in treating their patients,” said Dr Columbianus da Silva, an anesthesiologist at the national hospital and one of the BEC master trainers. “These doctors are getting better at identifying red flags for health emergencies and are also more comfortable with the terminology used for patient management and referrals,” he added.
Last year, doctors at Referral Hospital in Suai, located about 175 km from Dili, accurately diagnosed a heart attack with the help of an ECG and the symptoms, administered a blood thinner and stabilized the patient before transferring to the national hospital. This had not been possible in Referral Hospitals previously. In another Timor-Leste district, Maliana, doctors have successfully managed at least two high risk pregnancy cases with mechanical ventilation, saving both the mothers and babies.
“It is encouraging to hear such accounts about life saving interventions at the Referrals Hospitals and the CHCs,” said Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste. “WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, continues training healthcare workers by bringing international expertise and working to develop a sustainable capacity building system. To achieve this, WHO is also supporting the MoH in establishing simulation-based skills centres for training healthcare workers and medical students for emergency procedures,” he said.
Link
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10 August 2023
World Breastfeeding Week: Let’s empower working mothers in Timor-Leste
Every year, the first week of August is celebrated globally as the World Breastfeeding Week, serving as a reminder of the actions needed to support all mothers in optimally breastfeeding their babies. This year, the Breastfeeding Week also forms part of the Timor-Leste’s National Breastfeeding Promotion Campaign, launched by Ministry of Health in April, highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthen and promote breastfeeding interventions.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. It provides babies with the best source of nutrition, contributing to infant brain development, and offering lifelong benefits to both mother and the child. The World Health Organization recommends that mothers should initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and continue exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. However, globally, only 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed, and Timor-Leste faces similar concerning statistics. The Timor-Leste Food and Nutrition Survey 2020 reveals that over half of the newborns do not receive breastfeeding within the first hour of delivery, and nearly 36% of children between 0-5 months are not exclusively breastfed.
This trend must change. While the World Breastfeeding Week serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing this issue, each one of us has a role to play in protecting, supporting, and promoting breastfeeding.
The theme of this year’s Breastfeeding Week, ‘Enabling breastfeeding: making a difference for working parents’, is particularly relevant to the challenges faced by working women in Timor-Leste. We have ample evidence to show the critical importance of exclusive breastfeeding for first 6months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding for at least two years. However, many women struggle to breastfeed or stop breastfeeding earlier than recommended due to workplace challenges.
Achieving success in breastfeeding requires a collective responsibility, that depends on multifaceted policy and societal responses, rather than placing the burden solely on women. They need adequate time and support to breastfeed, and all of us can help in different ways.
Workplaces must bring in provisions of six months of paid maternity leave for mothers; paternity leave for fathers; suitable breastfeeding rooms or space and allowing mothers enough break time to express breastmilk or breastfeed. Globally there is evidence that women with more months of maternity leave report better breastfeeding durations than those with inadequate paid leaves. Women should not have to choose between breastfeeding their children and their jobs. Therefore, policymakers must ensure provisions are made for paid maternity leaves and develop breastfeeding-friendly accreditation packages for workplaces.
Increasing reliance on breastmilk substitutes or formula milk is another challenge that we must counter. Timor-Leste’s recent promulgation of the National decree law on regulation of marketing of breast-milk substitutes is a step in the right direction. I am certain that the decree Law will be enacted and enforced soon to mitigate negative, undermining influence of commercial milk formulas.
As a part of the National Breastfeeding Promotion Campaign and this year’s Breastfeeding Week, I urge everyone to enable mothers choose breastfeeding while pursuing their professional growth. Let us not forget the vital role of breastfeeding in combatting malnutrition and building a healthier future for this country. Let’s work together to create environments where breastfeeding is fully supported, and mothers are empowered to give their children the best start in life.
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01 August 2023
Civil Protection Authority, Humanitarian Actors Validate Timor-Leste’s Protection Risks Procedures in Emergencies
Dili – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), with support from the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), conducted a validation workshop on July 27, 2023, for the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE) and Trafficking in Persons in Emergencies (TIPiE).
The Civil Protection Authority (CPA), as the mandated government institution responsible for disaster risk management and emergency response, welcomed the development of SOPs to prevent protection risks and protect vulnerable communities from GBV and TIP.
This workshop was part of a joint-regional project of IOM and UNICEF, Addressing Protection Risks in Humanitarian Settings in Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea (Prevent and Protect). It aims to improve mechanisms and capacities of stakeholders to address protection risks in humanitarian settings, placing particular emphasis on women, children and migrants through strengthening community resilience, systems capacity, emergency coordination and protection monitoring throughout humanitarian response cycles.
Natural and anthropogenic hazards heighten the risk of injuries, loss of lives and damage to public infrastructure and houses/shelters. They also amplify protection risks, particularly concerning child protection, GBV and Human Trafficking. These risks disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as women and girls (due to threatened livelihoods, destroyed housing and lack of food supplies), migrants (when dislocated from the community and family support structures, often lacking access to legitimate forms of employment, legal status and social protection), youths, persons with disabilities and the elderly.
“Displacement settings can create an environment conducive to heightened protection issues. The breakdown of community and institutional protection mechanisms, along with disrupted services, infrastructure destruction, family separation and displacement, may lead to a rise in GBV and TIP rates,” said Ihma Shareef, IOM Chief of Mission in Timor-Leste. “These problems are deeply rooted in gender inequality and unequal power dynamics, which tend to escalate during emergencies.
The formulation of SOPs on GBViE and TIPiE was conducted through an inclusive and participatory process, engaging key stakeholders actively involved in emergency response in Timor-Leste. At the same time, IOM consulted with communities in border municipalities, including Oecussi, Bobonaro, Covalima and Lautem.
“The U.S. government, through USAID, stands with the people of Timor-Leste during disasters while at the same time building resilience for future ones,” said USAID Mission Director Zema Semunegus. “We all have a different role to play, and the U.S. government, through the BHA, hopes to play a role in realizing Timor-Leste’s leadership in achieving disaster resilience.”
“Together, we can be stronger to support the most vulnerable populations in emergencies. By working side-by-side, we can realize disaster resilience in the future for Timor-Leste,” said Supt. Ismael da Costa Babo, President of CPA.
With the validation of the SOPs, key stakeholders, especially CPA, have a necessary tool to strengthen national coordination and referral mechanisms to prevent protection risks and protect survivors of GBV and victims of trafficking in persons in emergencies.
***
For more information, please contact:
Ihma Shareef, IOM Chief of Mission in Timor-Leste via email ishareef@iom.int
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31 July 2023
Timor-Leste eliminates rubella
This remarkable achievement is a testament to the nation's commitment to public health and the tireless efforts of the government, healthcare workers, volunteers, partners, and the entire community.
Rubella is a highly contagious disease known for causing severe illness and irreversible birth defects in newborns when contracted during pregnancy. The disease has been successfully eliminated in the island nation through sustained vaccination efforts.
"To achieve this milestone, Timor-Leste had to interrupt the endemic transmission of the rubella virus for over 36 months," said Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste. “I cannot stress enough the importance of vaccines in safeguarding public health. The success in eliminating rubella reflects Timor-Leste's collective commitment to immunization and improving access to vaccination services for all citizens,” he added.
It is also worth noting that Timor-Leste had previously achieved the elimination of measles in 2018. With the recent rubella elimination, the country now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Maldives and Sri Lanka in achieving the elimination of both measles and rubella by 2023 – a flagship priority WHO's South-East Asia Region.
Dr T. S. R Peiris, technical officer, EPI, WHO Timor-Leste, Manuel Mausiri, Manager of EPI program, Ministry of Health, Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste, Dr Milena lay Santos, chief of pediatric department at HNGV (National Hospital) and Dr. Mariano da Silva Marques, President of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) at a media interaction on rubella elimination held on July 28, 2023. Photo: WHO Timor-Leste
To attain the elimination status, the National Measles and Rubella Verification Commission, along with the Ministry of Health's support, presented comprehensive evidence to the Regional Verification Commission on interruption of endemic measles or rubella virus transmission for a period of at least 36 months from the last-known case in the country. The presence of a high-quality, laboratory supported surveillance system that is sensitive and specific enough to detect, notify and investigate suspected measles rubella cases and outbreaks was also considered.
Timor-Leste’s National Measles and Rubella Verification Commission chaired by Dr Milena lay Santos with support from the Ministry of Health presented the evidence to the WHO SEARO Regional Verification Commission at its 8th meeting held at Bangkok, Thailand in June 2023.
“Our battle doesn't end here,” Dr Mathur said adding that to maintain this achievement, Timor-Leste must achieve and sustain over 95% MR routine vaccine coverage in all municipalities.
“Strong government leadership and steadfast commitment of health care workers, volunteers and partners, and community participation have been critical to implementation of strong vaccine-preventable disease surveillance and increasing access to immunization services,” Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, said while congratulating the country on its achievement.
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Press Release
07 September 2023
UN Population Fund Goodwill Ambassador, Catarina Furtado, visits Timor-Leste to support maternal health, gender equality and human rights
Since being appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2000, Catarina Furtado has traversed the world to visit UNFPA programmes – highlighting essential needs and rights of women and girls. This is her third visit to Timor-Leste and her second as UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador.
“We are very pleased and honored to welcome Catarina Furtado here in Dili. She is a global champion of women and girls and a sexual and reproductive rights advocate. Her work has greatly impacted women and girls around the world,” said Pressia Arifin-Cabo, Country Representative for the UN Population Fund in Timor-Leste.
As a renowned TV personality and filmmaker in Portugal, Catarina uses her platforms to share stories about sexual and reproductive rights and prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) and other harmful practices focusing on women and girls, in Portugal and to global audiences.
She is well known for her television documentary series, Príncipes do Nada, that introduced audiences to issues ranging from maternal health to adolescent pregnancy. Through her charity organization, Corações Com Coroa, founded ten years ago, she advocates for the prevention of GBV and empowering women and girls in Portugal.
While in Timor-Leste, Catarina Furtado will visit maternal health projects that were a result of a strong collaboration between the UN Population Fund and the Government of Timor-Leste. She will visit a Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) center that are critical to end maternal and infant deaths in Timor-Leste, witness various efforts to raise awareness and prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the progress towards ending stigma and discrimination towards People Living With HIV in the country. She will also observe the strengthening of a multi-sectoral approach to the prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV).
Catarina Furtado’s visit aims to raise awareness on the urgency of preventing maternal deaths and gender-based violence in Timor Leste and across the globe by 2030, in line with the UNFPA Transformative Agenda.
For more information, contact:
Suleiman Okoth
Communications and Programme Support Specialist
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Timor-Leste
Mobile: +67075169796, Email; okoth@unfpa.org
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Press Release
06 September 2023
Miguel da Costa: Shifting gears to save lives in Timor-Leste
In Timor-Leste, lack of patient transport remains one of the most important challenges preventing communities from accessing health care services. Most families, in rural areas like Manatuto municipality, cannot afford to pay for private arrangements to reach health centers.
For Miguel da Costa, a 58-year-old ambulance driver, driving is not just about shifting gears and ensuring his passengers reach their destination – it is about saving lives.
Miguel has transported patients for over a decade – mostly mothers and babies from remote areas – to receive essential health care services and is the reason that many pregnant mothers in Manatuto and its environs reach health centers on time.
“Having an ambulance service makes a big difference in saving lives. My job is about saving communities and patients from walking, carrying patients using porters or tuk tuks and ensuring patients reach the hospital on time,” narrates Miguel da Costa.
“The ambulance I am driving has saved a lot of lives. Most mothers in Manatuto can identify this ambulance and have a personal story of how it saved their lives or those of their loved ones. I am happy to offer my services to ensure patients access health facilities on time,” said Miguel da Costa.
He drives one of the only two ambulances currently available in Manatuto municipality; one serving district health facilities and other referral facilities in neighbouring municipalities. The ambulance that he is currently driving was initially meant to support the Manatuto Health Services - Department of Maternal Mortality but because of limited ambulances, it is also used in emergencies and when there are accidents.
“Communities and health centers in the district have my number and I am always on call whenever there is a distress call requiring ambulance services.”
Miguel’s ambulance was originally donated by Rui Costa, a former Portugal National Team football player, who was touched by the struggles of pregnant mothers in Timor-Leste to reach community healthcare centers.
It was Otília Joana de Assunção Moniz Pereira, a public health officer and Head of Department of Public Health at Manatuto District Health Services, who traveled to Lisbon, Portugal in 2010 to receive this donation.
“UNFPA facilitated my visit to Portugal to share experiences on maternal health in Timor-Leste. I was fortunate to meet Rui Costa and Catarina Furtado, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and shared with them about the challenges that mothers are facing in accessing health facilities and the high number of preventable deaths during births – especially in Manatuto.
“Rui Costa agreed to donate one ambulance, that is still in use to date, to help improve health services. While we appreciate the services of the ambulance, it has been in use for a long time and its condition has deteriorated due to aging and accessing rough terrains in hard to reach areas,” said Otilia Joana de Assunção.
When asked about what would happen if the ambulance operations cease, Miguel da Costa stated:
“If the current ambulance stopped its operations, the critical transport services in the district will be seriously affected as patients in need will have to depend on alternative means to reach health facilities. I appeal to well-wishers and authorities to consider donating a new ambulance to ensure critical services are not interrupted in Manatuto”.
For more information, contact:
Suleiman Okoth
Communications and Programme Support Specialist
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Timor-Leste
Mobile: +67075169796, Email; okoth@unfpa.org
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Press Release
30 June 2023
ILO & UNICEF call for urgent measures to stop the worst forms of child labour in Timor-Leste
Tetun.
ILO & UNICEF husu medida urjente sira atu hapara forma traballu infantil ne'ebé aat liu iha Timor-Leste.
Oecusse Ambeno, 12 Junu 2023 - organizasaun Internasional traballu (ILO sigla Inglés) no Fundu Nasoins Unidas ba labarik (UNICEF sigla Inglés) renova ona sira-nia apelu ba priorizasaun rede seguransa sosiál no prestasaun servisu sosiál ho kualidade hodi tulun proteje labarik sira hasoru forma traballu infantil ne'ebé aat liu iha Timor-Leste. Ajénsia ONU rua ne'e husu liután Governu atu konsidera adopsaun ba projetu Planu Asaun Nasional Timor-Leste nian (PAP sigla Tetun) hasoru forma traballu infantil ne'ebé aat liu, ne'ebé sei tulun define atividade sira ne'ebé klasifika hanesan traballu infantil no lista servisu balun tan, ne'ebé sei estraga labarik sira.
Apelu ne'e hala'o iha rejiaun Autonoma Oecusse Ambeno durante eventu komemorasaun loron Mundial Kontra Traballu Infantil, ne'ebé komemora iha loron 12 fulan Juñu iha mundu tomak.
Iha Timor-Leste, esbosu Planu Asaun Nasional ba traballu infantil, ne'ebé mak iha ona meza Ministru Koordenador Asuntu Ekonomiku ba aprovasaun, sei fó orientasaun ne'ebé presiza tebes ba nasaun atu responde no prevene forma traballu infantil ne'ebé aat liu.
"Ami hakarak hato'o fila-fali ami-nia apelu ba ratifikasaun PAN ida-ne'e lalais liu atu nune'e bele sai hanesan matadalan ba Governu no setór sira ne'ebé iha relasaun ho Governu atu servisu no kontribui ba eliminasaun traballu infantile iha Timor-Leste" hateten Reprezentante ILO ba Indonesia no Timor-Leste, Michiko Miyamoto.
Traballu ba infantil, ne'ebé refere ba servisu ne'ebé aat ba dezenvolvimentu fíziku no mental ba labarik ida, aumenta ona iha Timor-Leste tanba kiak uma-kain ne'ebé aas liu, ne'ebé obriga inan-aman barak liu atu haruka sira-nia oan sai hodi hetan osan adisionál ba despeza uma-kain nian. Aleinde ne’e, impaktu sosiál no ekonómiku husi pandemia COVID-19 no inflasaun nu'udar rezultadu husi krize Rusia-Ukrania nian, aumenta ona estrese ba rendimentu uma-kain nian no dudu labarik barak liu ba atividade ekonómika sira.
Tuir peskiza Nasional Traballu Infantil 2016 nian, labarik liu 67,688 ho idade tinan 5 to'o 17 ka labarik porsentu 16 iha grupu idade ida-ne'e envolve iha forma atividade ekonómika balun. Peskiza ne'e hatudu tan katak labarik na'in 52,651 mak klasifika hanesan envolve iha traballu infantil, ho porsentu 10 husi labarik sira-ne'e mak tinan 5 to'o tinan 12.
"Labarik barak kontinua nafatin ladún la goza sira nia infantisidade, sira-nia potensialidade no sira-nia dignidade tanba sira gasta oras ne'ebé la iha rohan hodi envolve iha atividade ekonómika perigu sira," dehan Reprezentante País UNICEF, Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani. "Matadalan husi komitmentu internasionál ne'ebé Timor-Leste halo liuhusi ratifikasaun Konvensaun Direitu Labarik iha 2003, ita tenke foti pasu urjente sira hodi hapara problema ne'e"
Atu troka tendénsia ida-ne'e, ILO no UNICEF halo advokasia ba aumentu rede seguransa protesaun sosiál hanesan rejime kréditu ba família vulneravel sira. Aleinde nee, hadi'a asesu ba kualidade servisu sosiál sira hanesan edukasaun no empregu ne'ebé di'ak ba ema adultu sira mós sei hasai família sira husi xoke ekonómiku no proteje labarik sira husi traballu infantil.
ILO no UNICEF iha kompromisu atu servisu hamutuk ho Governu no Sosiedade Sivil hodi halo inan-aman sira sente sensivel kona-ba natureza traballu infantil no atu ajuda sira komprende kona-ba efeitu aat husi prátika ne’e.
-------------------------------Remata------------------------
Ba informasaun detallu, bele kontaktu:
Jacinto Belo, ILO, Mobile Number - +67077233863; Email Address - jbelo@ilo.org
Tapuwa Mutseyekwa, UNICEF Advocacy and Communication Specialist, Mobile number - +670 77231103; Email Address – tmutseyekwa@unicef.org
Antonio Gomes, UNICEF Communications Officer, Mobile number - +670 77232441; Email address - angomez@unicef.org
Tapuwa Mutseyekwa, UNICEF Advocacy and Communication Specialist, Mobile number - +670 77231103; Email Address – tmutseyekwa@unicef.org
Antonio Gomes, UNICEF Communications Officer, Mobile number - +670 77232441; Email address - angomez@unicef.org
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Press Release
10 June 2023
PROGRAMA AI-HAN MÚNDIAL TIMOR-LESTE HAMUTUK HO KOICA KONTINUA PROMOVE NUTRISAUN BA LABARIK SIRA IHA ESKOLA
Baucau – Ohin loron, eskola hamutuk ruanulu-resin-haat iha munisípiu laran tomak simu apoiu adisional ba sira-nia atividade merenda eskolar liuhusi entrega ofisiálmente ekipamentu foun ba dapur.
Ekipamentu sira ne’e inklui fogaun dapur foun, bikan tein, kontentór bee nian no travessa, no sei hadi’a preparasaun hahan no dapur ijiene nian iha eskola hirak ne’e. Ne’e sei ajuda mós atu asegura labarik liu 4,200 ne’ebé hela iha Baucau hetan ai-han nutritivu lor-loron no prepara ai-han ho seguru.
Sasan sira ne’ebé fornese parte ida husi doasaun milaun $7.8 husi Repúblika Korea no KOICA, ho durasaun tinan 5, hodi suporta programa ‘Say No to 5 S (stop childhood starvation, soil transmitted worms, skin diseases, smoking and sugary drinks)’, ka “Dehan Lae ba 5 S”, programa konjuntu ONU entre WFP ho WHO ho objetivu atu hapara labarik sira husi hamlaha, moras lumbriga, moras kulit, fuma no bebidas midar iha eskola atus haat nia laran.
Total hamutuk 79,000 labarik-feto no mane sira mak sei hetan benefisiu husi melloramentu alimentasaun eskolár hanesan aprte ida husi projetu “Dehan Lae ba 5 S” iha munisípiu tolu kada tinan to’o 2025 ho parseria ho Ministériu Edukasaun, Juventude no Desportu no Ministériu Administrasaun Estatál.
Iha serimonia entrega iha EBF Fatulia-Venilale, Baucau, Xefe Programa WFP, Dr Ali Khan hateten”Merenda eskolar hanesan dalan ida ne’ebé signifkativu no susesu tebes ne’ebé Governu Timor-Leste servisu hodi hasa’e Nutrisaun no kombate ra’es badak. KOICA nia kontribuisaun ba programa iha Baucau ohin loron hari’I bazeia ba apoiu ne’ebé fornese ona ba eskola sira iha Manufahi no Bobonaro no reprezenta pasu ida tan atu atinzi ambisaun ida ne’e”.
Vise-Diretora KOICA Sr. Kwangsoo An, hateten ‘Hau impresionadu haree progresu dapur ohin loron nian no rona WFP no Ministériu Edukasaun nia planu atu apoia eskola sira iha Timor-Leste”.
Prezidente Autoridade Munisipiu Baucau S.E Sr. Olívio Freítas agradese ba WFP no KOICA ba sira nia apoiu hodi hakbiit eskola no rekoñese kompromisiu atu harii dapur foun haat iha munisípiu iha faze tuir mai ba programa ne’e.
# # #
Ba informasaun detallu kontaktu imogen.wilson@wfp.org
Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/wfptimor/
Website www.wfp.org/countries/timor-leste
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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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