Dili, September 4, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Alola Foundation and the Civil Society Support Office Hold National Colloquium on the Importance of Nutrition for Women and Children’s Development in Timor-Leste
Alola Foundation, together with the Civil Society Support Office (GASC), held a national colloquium on the importance of nutrition for the development of women and children in Timor-Leste. The objective is to raise public awareness and strengthen joint efforts in preventing malnutrition, which remains a challenge for public health.
According to Alola Foundation’s Executive Director, Maria Imaculada Guterres, Alola Foundation, through the Gender Equality Advocacy and Women’s Leadership Program, is working with the Civil Society Support Office (GASC) to hold the National Colloquium on the importance of nutrition for health and growth, especially for women and children in Timor-Leste.
“Today Alola Foundation together with GASC held a National Colloquium to respond to the issues of malnutrition and stunting, which are major challenges to public health and the country’s development.” said Maria Imaculada Guterres to journalists at the Balide Parish Hall, Thursday (3/9).
She said that Alola Foundation, through the Gender Equality Advocacy and Women’s Leadership Program, with support from GASC, organized the colloquium with the theme “The Importance of Nutrition for Health and Growth for the Development of Women and Children in Timor-Leste.”
She explained that the activity aims to raise public awareness, strengthen cooperation between institutions, and reinforce effective advocacy strategies to reduce rates of malnutrition and stunting in Timor-Leste.
“The issue of malnutrition, stunting, and anemia among women, especially pregnant and breastfeeding women, and also children, continues to be a major challenge for public health.” she said.
She noted that the first 1,000 days of life, from the time a mother is pregnant (270 days) to a child reaching two years old (730 days), is recognized as a critical period for a child’s brain development, immune system, and physical growth.
“This period receives significant attention from global health organizations such as WHO and UNICEF, including the Ministry of Health of Timor-Leste, to ensure good health for the people, especially for the new generation of Timor-Leste. Therefore, ongoing initiatives and education are needed to increase knowledge, awareness, and behavior change in communities about the importance of consuming nutritious food.” she said.
She emphasized that good and balanced nutrition is a fundamental pillar for health, physical growth, and mental and cognitive development.
“This colloquium serves as a space to bring together ideas and strengthen commitments from the government, civil society, and communities, to ensure an inclusive and gender-sensitive approach.” she stated.
Maria Imaculada Guterres also stated that this year, GASC provided financial support along with other programs and activities to Alola Foundation, especially in the area of nutrition linked to women, children, and gender equality, amounting to nearly US$50,000.
“The support for nutrition, which is linked to women and children, including gender equality, totals US$50,000 for this year. This support also involves the Civil Society Association Network in the area of nutrition.” she said.
On the other side, the Coordinator of the Civil Society Support Office (GASC), Joaquim da Costa Freitas, said that GASC established a partnership with Alola Foundation through this program to improve nutrition for children and mothers.
“This partnership is going well, and our presence here is also to officially open today’s colloquium. We see that nutrition is a very important factor in this country, because looking at statistical data, malnutrition rates are still high. That is why the government established partnerships with civil society so that their interventions can help the community.” said Joaquim da Costa Freitas.
He said that through this partnership, they can share information and also promote practical actions in communities, including how communities can use home gardens to grow nutritious food and continue with training on preparing nutritious meals.
He stated that GASC, which is under the Office of the Vice Prime Minister and also the Office of the Prime Minister, continues to allocate a budget every year to establish partnerships with civil society organizations.
“GASC does not only work with Alola Foundation. This year, we provided support to 197 organizations, including civil society organizations and congregations, mainly through the programs they implement.” he said.
The National Colloquium was attended by university students in Dili, representatives from ministries, youth, groups of persons with disabilities, and community leaders, with the principle of inclusivity under GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion).
Reporting: Tomás Dos Santos
Photo: Tomás Dos Santos