Planned Budget (Total)
Other resources (non-core)
Country Indexes
outcome XM-DAC-41146-TLS_D_2.1
By 2025, institutions and people throughout Timor-Leste in all their diversity, especially women and youth, benefit from sustainable economic opportunities and decent work to reduce poverty.
In 2024, UN Women Timor-Leste made significant strides in fostering sustainable economic opportunities and decent work for women, youth, and marginalized groups, directly contributing to poverty reduction and economic empowerment. Through strategic partnerships with government entities, civil society organizations, and international platforms, UN Women strengthened its efforts to empower excluded populations and enhance Timor-Leste’s economic landscape. A landmark achievement was the establishment and expansion of the National Weavers Association (Rede Soru Na’in, RSN) across all 13 municipalities of Timor-Leste. With UN Women’s support, RSN membership grew from 600 to over 1,600, including men and LGBTQI+ individuals, transforming the association into a dynamic platform for peer networking, collective voice building, and economic empowerment. The opening of a community shop in Dili, facilitated by UN Women, served as a vital link between rural artisans and national and international markets, generating USD 92,140 in sales in 2024 alone. This initiative directly supplemented the income of over 300 women and further demonstrated the economic potential of Timor-Leste’s artisans. The Government of Timor-Leste recognized and appreciated the RSN initiative for its impact, which aligns with SDG 5. A(economic empowerment of women) and UNSDCF Outcome 5, focusing on empowering excluded populations to access opportunities, claim their rights and fully participate in economic, social, and community life. RSN’s prominence was further solidified through advocacy and leadership initiatives, including its General Assembly at the President’s Palace, where key decisions to ensure the association’s sustainability and growth were made. UN Women also fostered strategic partnerships with key government bodies, including the Secretary of State for Arts and Culture (SEAC), the Secretary of State for Civil Protection (SOSCP), and the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE). These partnerships are set to facilitate coordinated actions to strengthen gender-responsive policies and programs at both national and sub-national levels, creating pathways for inclusive economic development. Through these efforts, UN Women has demonstrated its commitment to economically empowering women from marginalized groups and transforming Timor-Leste’s economic landscape, paving the way for sustainable growth and social inclusion.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-TLS_D_3.1
By 2025, the most excluded people of Timor-Leste are empowered to claim their rights, including freedom from violence, through accessible, accountable and gender responsive governance systems, institutions and services at national and subnational levels (UNSDCF OUTCOME 5)
In 2024, the Ministry of Education in Timor-Leste committed to integrating the Connect with Respect (CwR)curriculum into the Grade 7 national syllabus, with a nationwide rollout planned for 2025. This landmark decision marks a pivotal achievement in embedding gender-sensitive education within the foundation of Timor-Leste’s education system. The adoption of CwR is a key result of the Together for Equality (T4E) joint program, led by UN Women, which has been instrumental in advancing gender equality and preventing gender-based violence (GBV) across the country. The CwR program, piloted in 30 schools across four municipalities, directly engaged 1,983 participants, including 922 students, 905 parents, and 156 teachers. Pre- and post-test assessments demonstrated significant impact, with 85.7% of 1,168 assessed participants showing improved knowledge of gender equality and GBV prevention. The curriculum addressed critical issues such as GBV, cyberbullying, and healthy communication, equipping participants with the skills to foster inclusive and respectful environments. An endline survey highlighted a 36.7% reduction among females and a 23.3% reduction among males in justifying acts of violence, underscoring the program’s effectiveness in challenging harmful norms and promoting safer, more equitable communities. A core component of CwR’s success was its strategic engagement with men and boys, which aimed to dismantle harmful masculinities and encourage shared responsibility in ending violence. By involving male role models and community leaders, the program reshaped perceptions of gender roles and violence acceptability, positioning gender equality and violence prevention as societal imperatives. This inclusive approach aligned with a human rights-based framework, advancing the vision of freedom from violence and discrimination for all. Beyond individual transformation, the program addressed structural barriers by embedding gender equality principles into the education system and fostering inclusivity for marginalized groups, including rural women and LGBTIQ+ communities. By empowering these populations with knowledge and resources, the initiative directly tackled the normalization of violence and improved access to gender-sensitive support systems. Media partnerships amplified the program’s impact by spreading messages of respect, equality, and non-violence through radio, television, and social media campaigns. These efforts reached remote and rural areas, where traditional gender norms are deeply entrenched, and provided a platform for survivors and advocates to share their stories, influencing public discourse on GBV. The Ministry of Education's adoption of the CwR curriculum represents a significant milestone, achieved through the strategic collaboration of diverse actors under the T4E program. By creating sustainable pathways for long-term social change, UN Women and its partners have demonstrated the transformative power of collective action in building a respectful, inclusive, and violence-free society.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-TLS_D_4.1
WPS (UNSDCF Outcome 5) By 2025, the most excluded people of Timor-Leste are empowered to claim their rights, including freedom from violence, through accessible, accountable and gender responsive governance systems, institutions and services at national and subnational levels
In 2024, the Government of Timor-Leste officially adopted the second-generation National Action Plan (NAP) 1325 (2024–2028), reaffirming its commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda and promoting women’s leadership in governance, justice and peacebuildingat both national and sub-national levels. This milestone reflects a significant step toward institutionalizing gender equality within governance systems, institutions, and services. UN Women provided comprehensive technical support to the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the lead agency responsible for NAP 1325, throughout the process. A key highlight of this achievement was the inclusive and participatory consultation process, which prioritized the voices of women, particularly those from traditionally excluded groups such as conflict survivors and people with disabilities. The consultations engaged diverse stakeholders, including 15 government institutions, 14 civil society organizations (CSOs), traditional leaders, and faith-based groups. Marginalized groups, including rural women and women with disabilities, actively contributed to shaping the WPS agenda. Their inputs ensured that gender-responsive perspectives were deeply embedded in policies and national advocacy initiatives. This inclusive approach not only amplified women’s voices in decision-making processes but also strengthened coordination mechanisms that integrate grassroots stakeholders into WPS-related policy and program development. By embedding participatory frameworks, the process enhanced the alignment of the NAP with the needs and priorities of diverse communities, advancing Timor-Leste’s Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. UN Women also supported the MoI in coordinating with line ministries, delivering training sessions on WPS principles, and strengthening institutional capacities for NAP implementation. These training initiatives have equipped line ministries with the skills to effectively plan, implement, finance, monitor, and report on their commitments to NAP 1325. This government-wide effort demonstrates the commitment to mainstreaming WPS principles into national policies and programs, ensuring sustainable progress on gender equality. Further details on these efforts are documented in the Ministry of Interior’s official report, which highlights WPS activities jointly organized with UN Women (refer to pages 18, 22, 28, 29, 34, 38, 47, and 48). The report is available in the SharePoint: https://unwomen.sharepoint.com/sites/roap/timor-leste/UNWOMENTLS/Forms/AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=%2Fsites%2Froap%2Ftimor%2Dleste%2FUNWOMENTLS%2FOffice%2F02%20Programme%2F2%2E2%20WPS%2F2%2E2%2E10%20Publications%5FKnowledge%20Products%2F2024%2F4%2E%20Ministry%20of%20Interior%20Bulletin&FolderCTID=0x0120005E048B78AE3BB747B95E663A08E89432&View=%7BFA37CD4E%2D9E1F%2D469D%2D82B9%2D1C6CC4E4659C%7D
outcome XM-DAC-41146-TLS_D_6.1
Government and non-governmental stakeholders’ capacities strengthened to assess and report on progress on the 2030 Agenda and other global normative and policy frameworks for GEWE and government accountability is strengthened (Contributes to UNSDCF Outcome 5)
Significant strides have been made in strengthening the institutional capacity of government and non-governmental stakeholders to monitor and report on progress towards the 2030 Agenda and other global normative frameworks for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE).UN Women has provided extensive technical and coordination support to the Secretary of State for Equality (SEI) in key policy and legislative reforms, including the revision of the Domestic Violence Act and the development of the Domestic Workers Law, ensuring alignment with national and international commitments. Additionally, UN Women has played a pivotal role in monitoring the implementation of the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence (NAP-GBV) adopted in 2022, providing a gender analysis of the State Budget, and strengthening advocacy efforts through CEDAW and Maubisse Declaration presentations to Key Commissions of the National Parliament. A critical aspect of progress has been the enhanced use of gender statistics and data-driven policymaking. UN Women’s collaboration with UNFPA and INTEL (Department for Statistics, Government of Timor-Leste) has resulted in substantial contributions to the upcoming DHS Questionnaire, particularly in strengthening the GBV module, and supporting a gender thematic analysis of the Census data. Furthermore, technical support is being provided for the GBV prevalence study, set to be conducted in 2026. The Timor-Leste UN Country Team (UNCT) has also strengthened its accountability frameworks, with UN Women facilitating the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard assessment, ensuring compliance with UN-SWAP standards, and promoting gender-responsive planning in the upcoming UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). UN Women’s engagement in key global and national processes has also yielded tangible results. The organization actively supported Timor-Leste’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) process, leading to the country’s practice being recognized as a best practice in the Asia-Pacific region for gender-responsive VNRs. Additionally, through multi-stakeholder engagement, including with OPDs and CSOs, UN Women has contributed to strengthening Timor-Leste’s commitments under CEDAW and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Looking ahead, efforts will focus on sustaining these achievements by institutionalizing gender-responsive budgeting, expanding policy dialogue, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to ensure continued accountability and progress on GEWE.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-TLS_O_2
Increased engagement of diverse partners in support of UN-Women’s mandate in Timor-Leste
In 2024, UN Women Timor-Leste significantly expanded its work across critical nexus areas under Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) , focusing on labour force participation, the care sector, climate change, migration, and gender-responsive governance . The office also advanced its strong Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) portfolio by diversifying into non-traditional security areas , such as cybersecurity and human trafficking , further broadening its impact in fostering gender equality and addressing emerging challenges. A defining feature of 2024 was UN Women’s increased advisory role to the Government of Timor-Leste , actively shaping institutions and policies. Partnerships with key government entities strengthened national efforts in addressing critical issues: Vice-Minister’s Office on ASEAN Affairs: Supporting Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession process through embedded staff and WPS programming in collaboration with UK ASEAN . Ministry of Justice (MoJ): Facilitating the development of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Counter-Trafficking through the National Commission . Ministry of Interior (MOI) and key line ministries: Assisting in the implementation and monitoring of NAP 1325 on WPS , NAP GBV , and CRPD commitments . In the care economy , the Government of Timor-Leste committed to joining the Global Care Alliance in 2024, an achievement leveraged by UN Women through signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with ministries leading on care-related work. A strategic pivot in 2024 was to formalize cooperation with the Government through MoUs (2024–2027) , ensuring alignment with national priorities and the UN Women Annual Work Plan (AWP). These agreements guide activities across various sectors: Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE) Secretary of State for Arts and Culture (MCAE) Ministry of State Administration under the Civil Protection Authority (CPA) Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Ministry of Interior (MOI): Formalized partnerships under the Counter-Trafficking Commission . Additionally, UN Women embedded technical support within key government offices—including the President’s Office, National Parliament, SEI, MOI, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC) —to ensure continued influence on policy development and gender-responsive governance . By broadening its presence in emerging areas and formalizing government partnerships, UN Women reinforced its role as a trusted advisor and partner in Timor-Leste. These efforts strengthen institutional capacities, align with national priorities, and build a robust foundation for long-term progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment.Showing 1 - 5 of 8