Dili, October 13, 2023 – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Associação Jornalista Timor Lorosa’e (AJTL) have officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights in Timor-Leste, through evidence-based news reporting and information dissemination.

This strategic collaboration harnesses the extensive network of journalists within AJTL, spanning various media platforms, and combines it with the specialized expertise of UNFPA in sexual and reproductive health and rights and population matters. Together, they will talk about critical issues concerning maternal health, the prevention of gender-based violence, youth empowerment and engagement, population ageing and the dissemination of sexual and reproductive health information and services to underserved populations.

Addressing participants during the MoU signing event, Pressia Arifin-Cabo, the UNFPA Representative in Timor-Leste, emphasized the influential role of the media in shaping public opinion and catalyzing societal change. She remarked, "through collaborative training programs, we are partnering with journalists and media organizations to provide accurate and evidence-based reporting on matters related to sexual and reproductive health, youth, population ageing and other demographic concerns."

In this digital age, the spread of fake news and misinformation could have life-threatening impacts on women and girls, especially when faced with complicated decisions regarding childbirth, when and where to seek help in cases of violence, prevention of sexually transmitted infections and adolescent pregnancies. UNFPA sees the critical role of the media in disseminating correct and accurate information on these topics, as they serve as the primary source of information for the majority of the population, especially for young people who have access to the internet. 

Zevonia Vieira, President of AJTL, underlined the significant contribution of this partnership towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Timor-Leste. She expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "I feel very proud to sign the MoU today with the United Nations Population Fund, this MoU will strengthen and enhance the capacity of journalists to report on issues like gender-based violence,  maternal health, and the youth."

For more information, contact:

Suleiman Okoth

Communications and Programme Support Specialist

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Timor-Leste

Mobile: +67075169796, Email; okoth@unfpa.org

Zevonia Vieira 
President, 

Associação Jornalista Timor Lorosa’e (AJTL)

Mobile: +67075169796, Email: voniavieira@yahoo.com