The Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa Carvalho, represented the Government of Timor-Leste at the signing ceremony of the agreement with the Government of Australia for the implementation of Phases III and IV of the Nabilan Program “Ending Violence against Women and Children.” The ceremony took place on September 2nd, 2025, in Dili, and was attended by the Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Timor-Leste, Edward Wilkinson. 
The signing of this agreement follows the decision of the Council of Ministers on August 27th, 2025, which granted full powers to the Secretary of State for Equality to formalize the Subsidiary Agreement between the two Governments. The Nabilan Program is funded by Australia and implemented by the Asia Foundation, focusing on strengthening victim support services, preventing violence through community initiatives, and developing research and public policies in the area of gender equality.
The Secretary of State for Equality thanked Australia for its continued support and highlighted the strategic impact of the partnership: “Australia’s substantial financial commitment demonstrates not only its partnership for development, but also its solidarity in promoting human rights and gender equality. This agreement formalizes a strong cooperation framework based on mutual respect, accountability, and shared values, including the principles of zero tolerance for violence, child protection, inclusion, transparency, and environmental safeguards.”
Deputy Ambassador Edward Wilkinson emphasized the importance of the bilateral partnership: “Promoting gender equality and ending violence against women and children is a strategic priority that Australia will continue to pursue. We hope that our open and flexible collaboration can continue to ensure that all women and children in Timor-Leste live free from violence as soon as possible.”
The Australian Government’s contribution to the now formalized agreement amounts to AUD 22.3 million for the period from July 2022 to June 2026 (phase III), with an extension of approximately AUD 30 million anticipated for the period from July 2026 to June 2030 (phase IV). The funds will be managed by the Nabilan Program and overseen by a Joint Steering Committee chaired by the Secretary of State for Equality and the Australian Ambassador.
Since its creation in 2014, the Nabilan Program has already gone through two implementation phases and is now preparing to strengthen its intervention with the third and fourth phases. Priority areas include support for women and children who are victims of violence, training for service providers, promoting female leadership, community prevention, research for public policy formulation, reviewing the legal framework on gender-based violence, and strengthening the inclusion of people with disabilities and the LGBTIQ+ community.