DILI, 28 October 2025 (TATOLI) – In a major step to advance national commitments to family planning (FP) and secure sustainable domestic financing, the Ministry of Health and UNFPA Timor-Leste launched a three-day SMART Advocacy Workshop in Dili, from 28–30 October 2025.
The high-level workshop brings together government leaders, health professionals, and key partners to design evidence-based advocacy strategies, ensuring that every woman and couple in Timor-Leste can access safe and voluntary family planning services.
The workshop equips participants with tools to apply the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) approach in mobilizing domestic resources for FP. It aims to produce actionable, country-specific objectives and roadmaps aligned with the Government’s ongoing commitments to reproductive health and rights.
UNFPA Representative Navchaa Suren emphasized that family planning is not just a health issue but a cornerstone of equality and sustainable development.
“The right of women and couples to decide freely if, when, and how many children to have is as important as ever,” she said. “Investing in family planning is investing in human capital, women’s empowerment, education, employment, and poverty reduction. The impact is transformative.”
Navchaa praised Timor-Leste’s progress over the past two decades, including declines in maternal mortality and increases in contraceptive prevalence. She also highlighted the 2022 Government-UNFPA Compact of Commitment, which mobilized USD 1.2 million for essential reproductive health commodities. However, she cautioned that nearly 80% of family planning supplies remain donor-funded, underscoring the urgent need for increased domestic financing.
Vice Minister for Hospital Operationalization H.E. Flavio Brandão Mendes de Araújo reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening FP programs.
“Investing in family planning is investing in the future of our nation,” he said. “It empowers women, supports families, and drives social and economic development. Through strong partnerships and effective advocacy, we can ensure these services remain accessible and sustainable for generations.”
Over the three-day workshop, government officials, civil society, and development partners will collaboratively develop SMART objectives and advocacy plans to enhance domestic resource mobilization for family planning. Facilitated by UNFPA’s Regional Technical Advisor for Family Planning, Mr. Anthony Daly and , and national consultant Mr. Lourenço Pinto, the workshop emphasizes interactive and participatory approaches to create an integrated and sustainable advocacy roadmap.
“UNFPA is committed to supporting the Ministry of Health and all partners to turn commitments into action,” concluded Navchaa. “Together, we can ensure every woman and girl in Timor-Leste can make informed reproductive choices—a vital step toward equality and sustainable development.”
This workshop represents a milestone in Timor-Leste’s journey toward universal access to reproductive health services, reflecting a shared vision: a country where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
