Government reinforces commitment to eradicating violence against children during visit by UN Special Representative
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating violence against children, as part of the official visit of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M'jid, to the country from March 3rd to 6th, 2025. The visit's agenda included institutional meetings and the launch ceremony for the national commitment to implement the ten commitments made by Timor-Leste at the High-Level Conference held in Bogotá, Colombia. 
The UN Special Representative was welcomed at the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport by the Vise-Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, Mariano Assanami Sabino, the Vice Minister for Health, Flávio Brandão, and the President of the Institute for the Defense of Children's Rights (INDDICA), Dinora Granadeiro. During her stay, the Special Representative met with the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, to strengthen cooperation between Timor-Leste and the United Nations in the fight against child violence.
At an event held on March 5th in the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium at the Ministry of Finance, Timor-Leste's membership of the Pathfinding Global Alliance for the eradication of violence against children was formalized. The Deputy Prime Minister, Mariano Assanami Sabino, highlighted the importance of this initiative by stating that “the protection of children from abuse is not just a declaration by the Government of Timor-Leste, but a fundamental commitment by the State and the Government”. He added that “during the struggle for independence, many children were victims of child labor and other forms of abuse, which made them vulnerable to suffering and serious consequences”. 
Timor-Leste joins 41 other countries and three nations from the ASEAN region in this global initiative, with the aim of accelerating efforts to eliminate violence against children by 2030. “The commitments signed in Bogota will be implemented according to the established plan. Despite the challenges, we must ensure that this commitment is realized. To this end, we are counting on all the Ministries involved and we call on our development partners to invest in this cause,” stressed Mariano Assanami Sabino. 
The ten commitments made by Timor-Leste include the approval of the Juvenile Justice Law by 2026, the integration of child protection into education policies, the strengthening of specialized justice for children and the professionalization of social workers. There are also plans to expand parental education programs, increase the budget for child protection services and create legal frameworks for online safety and restricting access to alcohol and tobacco. Priority measures also include the implementation of a National Plan to Eradicate Violence against Children and an Information Management System for child protection policies. 
The event was attended by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Najat Maalla M'jid, the Attorney General of the Republic, the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, the Ministers of Education and Social Solidarity and Inclusion, the Deputy Minister of Health, members of UN Agencies, Ambassadors and other guests.
