On September 30th, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC), in partnership with UN Women Timor-Leste and with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom, held a Forum on Women in Leadership and Diplomacy as part of the regional programme “Empowering Women for Sustainable Peace: Preventing Violence and Promoting Social Cohesion in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)”. The event, held at the MNEC premises, aimed to address the under-representation of women in leadership positions and boost female influence in the search for a more equitable and peaceful future.
During the event, the aim was to establish a support network for Timorese leaders and revitalise platforms for exchange and mentoring between prominent women in the National Parliament, Ministries, Secretariats of State, former and current ambassadors, as well as women leaders in diplomacy, politics and public affairs. The initiative celebrated the crucial role played by women in shaping multilateral commitments and promoting peace and sustainable development, both in Timor-Leste and globally.
In 2023, global data highlights the persistence of gender disparity in political leadership and international affairs, with only 34 of the 193 UN member states having women elected as heads of state or government. Globally, women hold only 21 per cent of ministerial positions, 26.4 per cent of seats in national parliaments and 34 per cent in local governments. Although Timor-Leste has made progress, with 37 per cent of seats in the National Parliament occupied by women, there is still a significant gap in female representation in ministerial and state secretariat positions, with only 14.9 per cent.
Opening the event, MNEC’s Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, emphasised that “this forum underscores our commitment to fostering women’s leadership in international affairs and diplomacy. It is a platform where we can discuss the importance of recognising and advancing women’s roles in these areas, contributing to peace and sustainable development and serving as a starting point for shaping our next role in ASEAN.”
The UK Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, declared that “women’s voices must be represented at the highest levels if development, security and peace are to be truly sustainable” and expressed her delight at the British programme to “empower women in Timor-Leste to play a greater role in policy-making and advocacy for gender equality”.
The Head of Mission of UN Women Timor-Leste, Nishtha Satyam, emphasised that “this forum is a vital collective effort to address structural barriers, reduce gender gaps and promote a more inclusive society”. She also assured that “UN Women is fully committed and dedicated to providing all the necessary support every step of the way to advance gender equality in Timor-Leste in general, and through this programme that seeks to enhance the opportunities and recognition of women in leadership at all levels”.
The Government of Timor-Leste, in partnership with international organisations and with the support of the United Kingdom, remains committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women for leadership and influence at all levels. The Forum on Women in Leadership and Diplomacy is part of these efforts, contributing to a more inclusive, just and prosperous future for all.