DILI, 20 november 2024 (TATOLI)— The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, requested that the Women in Business Award (WBA) continue to be held annually to motivate women to improve their businesses and contribute to the country’s economy.
José Ramos Horta emphasized this at the first WBA Event in Timor-Leste held by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Associação Empresarial das Mulheres de Timor-Leste (AEMTL), in partnership with the Australian Government and the New Zealand Government at the GMN Bebora Multipurpose Room, this tuesday.
He said this award celebrates the extraordinary achievements of Timorese women and is a strong reminder that increasing women’s economic participation and leadership benefits everyone.
“Congratulations to this initiative and the support from Australia, New Zealand, and the IFC, and please continue this; who knows, ten years from now maybe we will see one of the Timorese women become a millionaire. I hope one day I can see Timorese women top managers, businesswomen, and all those who work on the streets and in shops; they increase their income levels,” she said at the WBA 2024 celebration.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who is also the patron of the award, said empowering women in business is not only a matter of justice but also essential to the economic and social development of Timor-Leste.
Responding to this, Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Caitlin Wilson, said Australia was proud to support the award and the recognition it gives to the work being done to empower women and contribute to the growth of the private sector.
“Business owners provide essential services to their communities and provide employment opportunities and skills development for others. We hope this award will inspire young people in Timor-Leste, especially women and girls, to consider a career in business and entrepreneurship,” said the Australian ambassador.
Helen Tunnah, New Zealand Ambassador to Timor-Leste, also added that recognizing women’s achievements in business is crucial to fostering a more equitable and prosperous society.
“The awards not only celebrate individual success but also inspire future generations of women leaders to achieve,” she said.
Earlier, Paula Godinho, AEMTL vice chair for trade, confirmed that IFC has committed to assisting AEMTL in hosting the awards for the next ten years.
The WBA winners are awarded with a specially designed trophy manufactured in Singapore that embodies the essence of Timorese culture and the spirit of women’s leadership.
While there is no cash award, the trophy’s value lies in its symbolic representation of excellence, making it a prestigious recognition of the recipient’s contribution and impact.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Rafael Ximenes De A. Belo
