Dili, June 24, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Plan International, in collaboration with the Association of People with Visual Disabilities of Timor-Leste (AHDMTL), held a training session for Timor-Leste journalists on how to report about People with Disabilities (PwD) and LGBTIQ+ individuals using proper terminology. The activity was conducted at the Alfela Hall last Friday.
The Coordinator of the Inclusion and Diversity Program, Livania Gomes, stated that this training has been provided to Timor-Leste journalists three times, first conducted last year and continuing again this year. The training is aimed at helping journalists understand terminology related to People with Disabilities (PwD) and LGBTIQ+, especially in the municipalities of Ainaro and Ermera.
“This is the third time we have conducted this training for journalists. The first was held last year, and this year we continue with a refresher training for journalists, especially those from media outlets in Dili and also from Ainaro and Ermera municipalities. The goal is to build journalists’ capacity to better understand the terminology and issues related to social inclusion, particularly regarding LGBTIQ+ and SOGIESC matters,” said Livania Gomes.
She further explained that the training also provided knowledge on PwD and LGBTIQ+ terminology so that journalists can correctly use appropriate terms when conducting interviews and writing news reports on PwD and LGBTIQ+ issues.
“We also provided training on terminology for PwD and LGBTIQ+ individuals so that journalists, when interviewing colleagues with disabilities or LGBTIQ+ members, know how to conduct discussions and dialogues using correct terminology and avoid discriminating against others,” she said.
According to data from the ARCOIRIS Timor-Leste Association, there are over 700 registered LGBTIQ+ members from 2016 to the present. Meanwhile, data from the national census shows that there were 38,000 people with disabilities recorded in 2015, with updated data collected again in 2022, though access to the full census data remains limited.
She further explained that obtaining comprehensive data on LGBTIQ+ members remains challenging, but associations such as ARCOIRIS Timor-Leste have collected data showing over 700 members registered since 2016. Similarly, data on people with disabilities collected from the 2015 population census shows around 38,000 individuals to date.
This project is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by Plan International in partnership with AHDMTL and ARCOIRIS Timor-Leste.
Reporter: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano