UN Women Timor-Leste Quarterly Newsletter | October - December 2018

As the world faces pushback on gender equality and women’s fundamental rights, in 2018 Timor-Leste achieved record numbers of women’s representation in the National Parliament (40 per cent). The private sector also made great strides to demonstrate its commitment to gender equality, with the Women’s Business Association establishing their Strategic Plan for the years ahead and companies such as Kmanek and Telkomcel adopting the Women’s Empowerment Principles for the first time in Timor-Leste. We also see that more efforts are being made to ensure that groups often left behind - persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTI community and domestic workers - have spaces and platforms for being heard. The year closed with the launch of the first Chatbot in Timor-Leste to support reporting of sexual harassment in the Public Administration – utilizing technology for the greater good.

As we reflect on these efforts to solidify our collective progress and partnerships for gender equality and women’s empowerment, UN Women Timor-Leste appreciates the collaboration and opportunities to contribute to these milestones. We are grateful to all of our partners - institutions and individuals - who join us and lead us in the struggle for equality every day.