Government Launches Information Management System for the Protection of Endangered Children
On March 14th, 2024, the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), with the support of UNICEF Timor-Leste, launched “Primero CPIMS+”, a web-based Child Protection Information Management and Digital Case Management ‘web’ application for coordinating support for vulnerable children.
During the ceremony, MSSI also released the report on the National Evaluation of Social Workforce Capacity Building Initiatives in Timor-Leste from 2016 to 2022. This document provides recommendations for improving the work of social workers.
“Primero” was developed to help social service providers coordinate support for vulnerable children. The system has been contextualised to be used in different scenarios, including emergencies, and will simplify case management and facilitate the follow-up of children in situations of vulnerability. The Government of Australia and USAID also supported the implementation of “Primero”. This tool is a critical component in strengthening child protection systems, with a proven track record of assisting programmes in providing quality care to vulnerable children and their families. 
In his speech, the Vice Prime Minister emphasised that “to manage the information and case management system effectively, the 9th Government, through the MSSI, is taking an important step to strengthen the child protection system in Timor-Leste through digitalisation”.
Mariano Assanami Sabino also assumed that “violence against women, children and vulnerable people continues to be a barrier to national development” and said that “with this system developed by MSSI, the Timorese community can report situations of children, women and vulnerable people in difficult situations to receive immediate assistance”.
During the app's launch, Minister Verónica das Dores expressed her “satisfaction and pride, as a Timorese, at being able to mark another important step for the nation in the work of the Programme and the System for Endangered Children and Young People Protection, with this groundbreaking achievement for Timor-Leste”.
UNICEF Country Representative Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani said that “without solid and efficient case management and referral systems in the country, many children who have faced violence and abuse will continue to be ignored. UNICEF therefore congratulates the Government of Timor-Leste on this milestone of digitising case management to prevent and respond to episodes of violence, abuse, and harmful practices”.
The Vice Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Céu Brites; the President of the Institute for the Defence of Children’s Rights (INDDICA), Dinorah Granadeiro; and representatives of ministerial lines and development partners also attended the event, which coincided with the celebration of ASEAN Social Work Day (March 19th).
