DILI, 09 March 2026 (Média Democracia) – President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste José Ramos Horta conveyed this message on International Women’s Day, especially for women in Timor-Leste, as the theme for this celebration is profoundly linked to the nation’s journey, which is about “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls.”
“We, the people of Timor-Leste, understand well the meaning of these words, we know that rights without justice are like ink on paper, and justice without action is an empty promise. We have fought for the recognition of our rights, we have a great obligation to ensure that the rights of women and girls in Timor-Leste are not only recognized, but also fully realized.” said President RDTL Ramos Horta through a press release on Sunday (08/03/2026).
The Head of State said, when talking about Rights, we must talk about the right to live free from violence, the right to inherit and own land, and the right to fully participate in the political and economic life of our nation.
“When we talk about justice, we must look beyond the Courts. Justice is a girl in a remote village knowing she has the right to education just like her brother. The law must protect all women, regardless of their social status.” He said.
So, when we talk about Action, we’re talking about the work we must do every day, because equality is the most important right a state can give, and we know that true equality is impossible without inclusion and empowerment for women.
“Action also means dismantling the practical barriers that prevent our women and girls that’s why since the beginning of my mandate, the presidential program has given special attention to women’s economic empowerment through initiatives for Women’s Economic Empowerment.”
This initiative aims to support women with small and medium businesses, helping them strengthen their enterprises. A woman with economic power is an agent of change in her community, by empowering women and mothers. We automatically boost family income, improve living standards, and drive our economy forward.
He said everyone must act decisively to keep girls in school because often, a journey to education ends just because there’s no safe place to stay.
“That’s why we’re prioritizing the construction of a dormitory for girls in Dili, made possible by generous support from the United Arab Emirates, a safe, dignified place to stay means a girl from a remote village living in Dili can focus on her studies, she can dream bigger and build a better future for herself, her family, and her nation.” He added.
The President of RDTL said, the fight for women’s rights is a fight for a fairer, more just equality, it’s a fight for a better world, more equitable for all. Let’s move forward together with rights, justice, and concrete action.
On International Women’s Day, let’s move beyond promises and take necessary actions by empowering women economically and keeping our girls in school, to build a world where all women and girls can live with dignity, freedom, and equality, may God bless the women and girls of Timor-Leste, and our beloved nation.
Reporting : Estefania
Photo : Estefania