Dili, 23 September 2024 The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Secretariat of State for Equality, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Timor-Leste and funding from Zonta International, organized a three-day national workshop on the theme “Strengthening GBV Case Management Environment in Timor-Leste.”

During the opening remarks, the `National Director for Gender Equality Policies, Ms. Celeste Ramos Martins Gonçalves, emphasized that the seminar builds on important learning experience from a visit to Portugal last year. She stated, “Last year, Her Excellency of Secretary for Equality led a delegation from Timor-Leste, which included  representatives from SEI, MSSI, VPU Police, local NGO FOKUPERS, and UNFPA to Portugal to study how they have successfully strengthened their GBV case management system. Portugal’s good practices provide valuable insights for our efforts in Timor-Leste to ensure effective and coordinated protection and care for GBV survivors.”

The National Director reiterated that gender-based violence is a significant public health issue and highlighted the government’s continued efforts to address this issue. “Gender-based violence has become a public health problem and a human rights violation in our young country. According to the 2016 Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey, one-third (38%) of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence since the age of 15.”

The UNFPA Officer In-Charge in Timor-Leste, Dra. Domingas Bernardo, addressed the participants, emphasizing the importance of strengthening GBV case management. She stated, “This seminar aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to strengthen GBV case management environment. It also provides a foundation for advocating, designing, and monitoring case management services for GBV following international quality standards, which will enhance the competencies of GBV focal points and service providers.”

Dra. Bernardo also noted that the workshop will contribute to the finalization of a draft situation analysis report aimed at improving and strengthening the GBV case management system in Timor-Leste. “This report will include a roadmap and recommendations for action plans to further strengthen the case management system at both national and municipal levels,” she said.

Gender-based violence is a serious issue, and the Government of Timor-Leste, with the support of its stakeholders, has made significant progress. Key achievements include The Promulgation of the Law Against Domestic Violence in 2010, and the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence (NAP-GBV) for the periods 2012-2016, 2017-2021, and now 2022-2032. The current NAP-GBV focuses on three critical pillars: Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls, Provision of Essential Services for Women and Girls Experiencing Violence, and Legal Support and Justice.

This year, the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) also approved the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for managing and coordinating support for victims of GBV.

This three-day workshop is an essential platform for discussing the implementation of two key pillars of the NAP-GBV: strengthening the provision of essential services and, more importantly, enhancing the  GBV case management environment in Timor-Leste.