Government of Timor-Leste

On January 23^rd, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC), the Secretary of State for Equality and UN Women Timor-Leste held the “Women in Leadership and Diplomacy Forum 2025” in the Great Hall of the MNEC. The event brought together female leaders, ambassadors, diplomats and emerging young leaders to celebrate the contributions of women to diplomacy and leadership in Timor-Leste. The forum provided a dynamic space for dialogue, which served as a platform for discussion, inspiration and amplification of women's voices in leadership. 

During the event, the remarkable achievements of women in national sustainable development were highlighted and the challenges that remain in promoting gender equality in decision-making positions were discussed. Inspiring stories were shared to motivate and encourage greater participation of Timorese women in leadership, with the aim of empowering the next generation and creating a more inclusive and gender-equitable future. 

At the opening session, the Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa Carvalho, emphasized the transformative impact of women in peace building and sustainable development, highlighting the importance of initiatives such as this forum in strengthening women's leadership in Timor-Leste. “Over the years, the global community has made significant efforts to promote women's participation in leadership. However, the lack of female representation in politics and international affairs remains a reality that needs to be tackled with determination and collective action”, she said. 

Elvina Sousa Carvalho also pointed out that, “although women's representation is far from equal at Government level, “in Timor-Leste we are proud to celebrate our evolution, especially the historic election of our first woman President of the National Parliament and the significant representation of women in the National Parliament”.

 The event was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, who reiterated the Government's commitment to promoting the full and effective participation of women in decision-making processes. “As the world moves towards a more inclusive future, this forum reflects the power of the collective effort to eliminate barriers, empower women and promote transformative paths for leadership and diplomacy”, he said. 

 During the high-level panel, moderated by the Head of UN Women in Timor-Leste, Amy Nishtha Satyam, the structural barriers that hinder women's access to positions of leadership and diplomacy were addressed, as well as strategies to overcome these challenges. “Creating platforms and spaces where women leaders can exchange informal notes and foster meaningful connections goes a long way towards cementing solidarity among women leaders. Recognizing the shared nature of their struggles can strengthen their collective determination to push the boundaries and dismantle the barriers to leadership”, Satyam emphasized. 

The event was also attended by Member of Parliament Maria Gorumali Barreto, Chair of the National Parliament's Commission F, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Funmi Balogun, and the UK Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West. 

The Women in Leadership and Diplomacy Forum 2025 demonstrated the strength and resilience of women leaders in Timor-Leste and served as an important platform for exchanging experiences and promoting a more equitable and inclusive future.