Dili, September 18, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The State Secretariat for Equality (S.E.I) held a regular meeting with national partners to review the progress and challenges in implementing programs and activities to promote gender equality in Timor-Leste. The ceremony took place at the Maria Gorete Hall in Caicoli.
Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa Carvalho, explained that the regular meeting with national partners, composed of civil society representatives, focused on discussing progress and challenges in implementing gender equality promotion programs and activities.
“The purpose of this regular meeting is to update information on progress and challenges in promoting equality and social inclusion in Timor-Leste, strengthen service coordination with partners, seek solutions to obstacles and challenges, and set priorities in the short and long term to meet decentralization and local governance needs,” said Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa Carvalho.
She emphasized that the S.E.I, as a state body, has the role and responsibility to coordinate and advocate in implementation through gender mainstreaming, laws, policies, and the General State Budget, acting as coordinator of advocacy on matters related to the promotion of equality and women’s empowerment. According to the government’s organizational framework, S.E.I leads and coordinates such work based on its mandate and legal authority.
“This activity is part of S.E.I’s regular routine. Coordination meetings allow us to identify challenges and progress made, so that women and vulnerable groups can continue to move forward,” added the Secretary of State for Equality.
She further noted that the regular meeting also included discussion sessions, where all partners were able to provide updates on their progress and challenges in promoting gender equality and social inclusion in Timor-Leste.
Meanwhile, the National Director of Public Relations and Media (DNRPM-SEI), Maria Filomena Babo Martins, expressed appreciation to all partners, consisting of National Directors, Department Heads, and representatives of Civil Society for their contribution to implementing gender equality and social inclusion in Timor-Leste.
“We highly appreciate everyone who shared updates on their programs, progress, and challenges. We acknowledge that there have been many achievements and successes, but challenges remain particularly in addressing gender equality and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). These are not easy issues to solve. It is not possible to eliminate them within one or two years; rather, we need a longer period to achieve meaningful results,” said the National Director of Public Relations and Media.
She emphasized that the main objective of this partnership meeting was to consolidate and strengthen collaboration with partners in order to jointly achieve gender equality and reduce Gender-Based Violence, especially against women and girls. Although data shows that the situation has not declined, the numbers continue to rise each year.
The regular partnership meeting also included the participation of Department Heads and staff from the various S.E.I directorates, who engaged in discussions on strategies to achieve gender equality and reduce Gender-Based Violence in Timor-Leste.
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: S.E.I Media