Dili, September 11, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Government, through the Secretary of State for Equality (SEI), held a joint meeting with focal points from ministerial lines, including BNCTL, to discuss the implementation of the Maubisse Declaration Phase III. The coordination meeting took place at the Maria Goreti Hall, SEI, on Wednesday, as reported by Média Democracia through SEI’s official page.
Director-General of the Secretary of State for Equality, Armando da Costa, said the meeting brought together focal points from the ministerial lines and BNCTL as key implementers of the Maubisse Declaration Phase III commitments.
“The objective of this meeting is to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the implementation of the Maubisse Declaration Phase III within each implementing institution and to facilitate strategic information related to its execution, particularly within the 17 ministerial lines and BNCTL,” said SEI Director-General Armando da Costa.
He further explained that one of the tasks is to identify and compile a list of focal points from each ministry, so that SEI, as the leading institution for the implementation of MD-III, can coordinate and monitor the execution of programs carried out by key ministerial lines and BNCTL. These efforts aim to strengthen the economic capacity of rural women in line with the roles and responsibilities already committed.
“I request the focal points from each ministry and BNCTL, already appointed by their respective institutions, to commit and ensure that their institutions can allocate annual budgets and develop programs that contribute to the Maubisse Declaration Phase III commitments. This will enable the long-term development of rural women’s capacities,” added the SEI Director-General.
He affirmed that the focal points from implementing ministries and BNCTL, as institutions aligned with SEI, are committed to ensuring the implementation of programs that empower rural women, as mandated by the commitments their institutions signed under the Maubisse Declaration Phase III. This will strengthen the role of rural women in actively participating in national development.
The meeting was attended by focal points from 17 implementing ministries and BNCTL, the National Director of Gender Equality Policy (DNPIG-SEI), the Head of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Department-SEI, the Head of the Communication and Media Department, as well as technical officials from the ministries and SEI.
Reporter: Nelfiano
Photo: Media S.E.I