DILI, 03 September 2025 (TATOLI) – The Government of Australia, through its Embassy in Timor-Leste, and the Government of Timor-Leste, through the Secretariat of State for Equality (SEI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to implement the Gender Equality Initiatives program.
The MoU was signed by Elvina de Carvalho, Secretary of State for Equality, and Edward Wilkinson, Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Timor-Leste, during a ceremony held at the Maria Gorete Hall of the SEI in Caicoli, Dili.
This agreement marks the beginning of the third and fourth phases of the Nabilan Program, a $22 million initiative aimed at ending violence against women and children. The program has been implemented since 2014 by the non-governmental organization The Asia Foundation.
“This agreement is an essential initiative to fulfill Australia’s commitment to advancing gender equality in Timor-Leste,” Wilkinson said.
At the same event, Secretary Carvalho emphasized that the program supports the implementation of the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence, which was adopted to prevent and eliminate all forms of gender-based violence.
“The signing of this agreement represents an important step in strengthening SEI’s efforts to combat gender-based violence,” Carvalho stated.
Australia has been a key supporter of the Nabilan Program, a major development initiative in Timor-Leste focused on ending violence against women and children. Through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Australian Government has provided substantial funding for the program, which is implemented by The Asia Foundation in collaboration with the Timor-Leste Government.
The program aims to prevent violence by promoting positive social norms and providing essential services to survivors, including shelter, legal assistance, and counseling.
The Nabilan Program is a joint effort between the governments of Australia and Timor-Leste, with implementation led by The Asia Foundation. Its goal is to ensure that women and children in Timor-Leste live free from violence and are able to fully enjoy their rights.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
