Dili, December 2, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Secretary of State for Equality (SEI), together with the Ministry of Higher Education, conducted a workshop on integrating the prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) into university curricula. The workshop took place at Hotel Timor on Monday.
The Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa Carvalho, stated that the workshop served as a consultation aimed in securing the commitment of universities and higher education institutions regarding the integration of GBV prevention into educational curricula.
“I believe this activity is an important moment for discussion to gain serious commitment from universities and higher education institutions in preventing Gender-Based Violence. We all know that GBV continues to be a major problem within universities and higher education institutions, including issues of sexual harassment,” said Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa Carvalho.
She added that the Constitutional Government is strongly committed in addressing this issue, and therefore, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Secretary of State for Equality, and partners such as UNFPA, together with all universities, are focusing in discussing the integration of GBV prevention and response into the education curriculum.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Culture, José Honório da C.P. Jerónimo, said that the seminar held today discussed how Gender-Based Violence can be included in the national curriculum framework so it can be taught to all higher education students across the country.
“The UNFPA material on Gender-Based Violence is very important to be included in the national curriculum framework so that it can be taught in all our higher education institutions. Our society today often does not give enough importance in respecting our women and girls, especially within schools,” said Minister José Honório da C.P. Jerónimo.
The Minister urged all students to be brave enough to speak up to relevant authorities whenever they face problems such as sexual harassment at school so that such issues can be resolved.
He also expressed gratitude to UNFPA for its strong commitment, and to the Secretary of State for Equality and National Parliament Committee G, for their efforts to introduce GBV-related content into the State’s national curriculum to better support students across the country.
Furthermore, the Secretary of State for Equality explained that the Ministry of Higher Education, in collaboration with UNFPA, is conducting this workshop to ensure the integration of GBV prevention and response into university curricula.
Report: Nelfiano
Photos: Nelfiano