Dili, July 11, 2023 – To mark World Population Day in Timor-Leste, the National Institute of Statistics (INETL) in collaboration with UNFPA organized a one-day workshop themed "Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women, girls and youths to unlock infinite possibilities in Timor-Leste.”

The event was held at the Institute of Business (IOB) conference hall in Dili.

Over 120 stakeholders from Government ministries, United Nations and Non-governmental organizations, academia and media took part in the event and shared ideas on improving gender equality and sustainable development in Timor-Leste.

The key guests during the workshop included H.E. Helder Lopes, Vice Minister of Finance and Pamela Aine, UNFPA Officer in Charge (OIC) in Timor-Leste among others.  

As the world commemorates World Population Day, over 40 per cent of women globally cannot exercise their right to make decisions on whether or not to have children.

In her statement on World Population Day, Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, emphasized the need to safeguard sexual and reproductive rights for all as a foundation for gender equality, dignity and realizing potential of all – particularly for women and girls.

“This World Population Day is a reminder that we can achieve the prosperous, peaceful and sustainable future envisioned by the ICPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development if we harness the power of every human being on the planet.

“When we unlock the full potential of women and girls – encouraging and nurturing their desires for their lives, their families and their careers – we galvanize half the leadership, ideas, innovation, and creativity to better society,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem.

“In Timor-Leste, our population is 1.34 million and 49 percent are females while 51 percent are males, according to the recent 2022 Population and Housing census.

“More needs to be done to ensure that women are not left behind their male counterparts in development. For example, 42 percent of men are employed or are actively looking for work, compared to 30 percent among the women,” said H.E. Helder Lopes, Vice Minister of Finance.

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, believes in expanding the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. For example, by increasing access to family planning and reproductive health services for women most of whom are young and providing appropriate sexuality education to the youth to form meaningful and responsible relationships.

For more information, contact:

Suleiman Okoth

Communications and Programme Support Specialist

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Timor-Leste

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

Domingos Sebastiao Freitas

Publication, Publicity and Advocacy Officer 

National Institute of Statistics (INETL)

Mobile: +67077913828, Email: dsfreitas@mof.gov.tl