On February 15th, 2024, the 9th Constitutional Government, with the support of UN Women, officially launched the second generation of the National Action Plan (2024-2028) to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (NAP 1325).
NAP 1325 is a five-year national strategy to integrate gender equality and women’s leadership into all aspects of conflict prevention and resolution, peacebuilding, post-conflict recovery and humanitarian response in Timor-Leste. 
Resolution 1325 was the first resolution on Women, Peace and Security unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council on October 31st, 2000. This global normative framework highlights the importance of women’s active participation and leadership as agents in promoting peace and security.
Timor-Leste, recognising the valuable contribution of women in promoting peace and sustainable development throughout its history, became the third country in Southeast Asia to develop a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2016-2020). 
Since 2014, in collaboration with UN Women, the Government and civil society organisations have implemented the first NAP 1325 to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in decision-making and protection against violence and promotion of gender-sensitive conflict resolution and peace-building practices.
Framed around four main pillars – Participation, Prevention, Protection and Peacebuilding, the new NAP 1325 articulates a comprehensive strategy in response to the evolving needs of women and girls to address traditional and emerging security risks, including the impacts of climate change-induced disasters, cyber security and human trafficking.
Timor-Leste’s Minister of Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres, emphasised that “recognising the vital roles of Timorese women in peacebuilding and sustainable development, the second generation of NAP 1325 (2024-2028) aims to promote women’s full, meaningful and equal participation and leadership in peace and security, community conflict prevention and resolution, humanitarian and disaster response, and expanding the contours of women’s roles in decision-making in the security and justice sectors, and at all levels of governance”.
Nishtha Satyam, head of UN Women in Timor-Leste, congratulated “the Government of Timor-Leste for approving the second phase of the NAP on Women, Peace and Security”, which she said represented “an even greater commitment to strengthening the agenda on Women, Peace and Security in the country”. She also reaffirmed “UN Women’s continued support for the effective implementation and follow-up of the new NAP 1325, which brings together women’s participation and leadership in various sectors of Government and society”. 
Timor-Leste has already achieved notable progress in promoting women’s participation and leadership in decision-making positions at the national level, with women’s leadership in the National Parliament standing out. However, challenges remain, but the Government maintains its ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s rights. The development of the second NAP 1325 involved various stakeholders, culminating in approval by the Council of Ministers in January 2024.
To access the National Action Plan 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (NAP 1325) in Tetum, click here, and to access the English version, click here.