Viqueque, November 22, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Secretary of State for Equality, through the Head of the Department for Women’s Economic Empowerment (SEI), together with the Viqueque Municipal Women’s Association (ADVIQ) and the Viqueque Municipal Authority, signed an agreement with the beneficiary groups of the Public Transfer Fund under the Revolving Fund Mechanism for 2025 in Viqueque Municipality. This information was accessed by Média Democracia through SEI’s page on Friday.
The representative of SEI’s Department for Women’s Economic Empowerment, Romão Piadade, stated that the role of the Secretary of State for Equality is to strengthen women’s economic empowerment. Therefore, every year SEI allocates a budget for public transfer funds through the revolving mechanism to improve women’s economic conditions, especially women in rural areas.
“In 2025, the women’s groups selected to receive the revolving fund in Viqueque Municipality passed through a joint selection process consisting of five groups from four sucos across two Administrative Posts, namely Uagia Village in Ossu Administrative Post; Suku Watudere in Viqueque Administrative Post; Maluru Village in Viqueque Administrative Post; and Uma Ki’ik Village in Viqueque Administrative Post,” said Romão Piadade.
The representative added that the selected beneficiary groups have completed the agreement process, which aims to support them in running good business activities that can increase their families’ economic income.
Meanwhile, SEI expects that by strengthening women’s economic capacity, the five selected groups will successfully use the funds to run solid businesses, reduce economic dependence on partners, increase income, and support their families’ basic needs.
The representative of the President of Viqueque Municipality, the Municipal Secretary for Social Affairs and Organizations, Acacio de Sousa, urged Administrative Post Authorities and Suco Chiefs to support the beneficiary women’s groups in carrying out their business activities and returning the fund to AFVIQ once the agreed timeframe ends, ensuring the money is not used for other personal needs.
“I ask the coordinators and members to work together, request support from Administrative Post Authorities and Village Chiefs for our mothers and women, and ensure the money is truly used for business activities. There must be transparency within the groups to help develop family economies and invest in various areas to bring benefits to the group, increase family income, and support children’s education,” said Acacio de Sousa.
On the same day, similar agreement ceremonies with beneficiary women’s groups were held also in the municipalities of Manufahi, Manatuto, Lautem, and Liquiça. The total number of women’s beneficiary groups for the revolving fund and vulnerable groups from 2019 to 2025 in Viqueque Municipality is 16.
Further clarification explained that the agreement activities between SEI, AFVIQ, and the beneficiary groups took place in the hall of Viqueque Administrative Post, attended by Suco Chiefs and representatives of the Administrative Post Authority. In addition, the SEI team also shared information about SEI’s role and the revolving fund guidelines for the beneficiary groups.
Reporter: Nelfiano
Photo: SEI Media