Dili, April 9, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Secretary of State for Equality and the National Institute of Statistics of Timor-Leste, in collaboration with UNFPA and UN Women Timor-Leste, officially launched and disseminated the thematic report on Gender Analysis based on the 2022 Population and Housing Census.
The Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa de Carvalho, stated that today’s event reflects on the findings revealed in the 2022 Population and Housing Census.
“We are pleased to see certain changes that occurred during the period from 2015 to 2022, but there are still significant gaps, particularly in the ‘Unpaid Care Work’ domain, which we must address. These findings serve as references for improving laws and policies, for strategic programs including investments in human resources and budgeting for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls,” said Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa de Carvalho.
She emphasized that today’s activity was conducted in close collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics for the publication of reports related to the promotion of gender equality in Timor-Leste. She expressed pride that state institutions are taking ownership and responsibility for the work of gender equality in the country.
“The report, developed based on findings from the 2022 Population and Housing Census, will also reinforce the recommendations given by the CEDAW Committee to the State of Timor-Leste in 2023, especially concerning the importance of providing gender-disaggregated data in critical areas, allowing the state to seek solutions to address existing gaps,” she added.
She stressed that the gender report’s findings call the state to action in furthering gender development and strengthening women’s empowerment, through evidence-based facts in critical areas such as marital status, education, fertility and maternal-child mortality, life expectancy, economic status, persons with disabilities, and social protection.
“These recommendations are meant to be addressed in this period. By comparing data from the 2015 Population and Housing Census and the 2016 Demographic Study, this report provides an overview of the current situation, changes, and ongoing gaps over time,” she continued.
She also shared that the aim is to provide information to decision-makers, all entities, to reassess the effectiveness of their programs and policy interventions, and to identify areas where development is lagging or regressing.
On behalf of the UN, Resident Coordinator Funmi Balogun Alexander said that the UN has always supported the Timor-Leste Government, especially in gender equality and initiatives for the empowerment of women in the country.
“I need help to carry out censuses, which happen worldwide and are both simple and important. It’s not only crucial for governments but also for the UN so that we do not act without evidence,” said UN Resident Coordinator, Funmi Balogun Alexander.
She further explained that census data shows us where women and men stand in terms of equality, the steps they’ve taken in the economy, education, access to facilities, maternal and child mortality, and what the government can do to ensure that all these challenges are addressed and discrimination is eliminated.
To conclude that the thematic report on gender analysis from the 2022 Population and Housing Census must serve as a guiding path for interventions by all actors public institutions, civil society, and all entities to strengthen collective work, unity, and collaboration in achieving greater gender equality. This way, we can envision a society that lives in peace, harmony, and dignity in this nation.
Reporter : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano