DILI, 15 November 2025 (TATOLI) – The Australian and New Zealand Ambassadors to Timor-Leste, Caitlin Wilson and Helen Tunnah, jointly highlighted the vital role of women in driving economic growth during the 2025 Women in Business Awards ceremony.
Ambassador Caitlin Wilson expressed pride in Australia’s support for the awards for the second consecutive year.
“Tonight is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the talent, resilience, and vision of Timorese women who are shaping the future of this country through enterprise and leadership,” she said at the ceremony held in GMN Hall, Dili, on Friday.
Wilson noted that nearly 100 nominations had been received from across Timor-Leste, a significant increase from last year.
She emphasized that women-led businesses not only drive job creation and innovation but also contribute to broader community prosperity.
“We want every woman in Timor-Leste to know: your ideas matter, your leadership matters, your contribution matters,” she added.
Ambassador Helen Tunnah also praised the presence of multiple generations of Timorese women in the room and stressed the importance of celebrating their achievements.
“This is our second year of the awards, and after last year’s ceremony, I reflected on a few things. In a room full of Timorese women. A room dominated by women is not something we experience every day in Timor-Leste, so it truly is something to celebrate.”
The ceremony also featured remarks from Cristina da Silva Cruz, Manager of Konnekto Employment Agency, one of the award recipients. Cruz paid tribute to the perseverance of Timorese women and highlighted Konnekto’s commitment to empowering women in leadership roles.
“More than 70% of leadership positions at Konnekto, both within our company and across our client sites, are held by women. We ensure that women are not just participants in the economy; they are leaders shaping the economy,” she said.
The 2025 Women in Business Awards recognize achievements across diverse sectors, including retail, agriculture, hospitality, and finance, celebrating women who create opportunities, innovate, and inspire future generations of leaders in Timor-Leste.
The Awards are hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group focusing on the private sector, and the Associação Empresarial das Mulheres de Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste Business Women Association—AEMTL). They are part of the Timor-Leste Financial Sector Skills Program, a joint initiative of IFC and Banco Central de Timor-Leste, which aims to foster broader financial inclusion through the development of the financial sector in Timor-Leste through targeted skills initiatives. Both these initiatives are supported by the governments of Australia and New Zealand.
Journalist: Cidalia Fátima
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
