UNICEF Timor-Leste

When girls are empowered to lead, entire communities thrive. 💪📚 UNICEF, in partnership with the Government, is working in communities across Timor-Leste, to ensure every girl has the chance to grow, lead, and shine. 🌟   #DayOfTheGirl #GirlsLead #UNICEF #GirlGoals

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 We celebrate the power, potential, and promise of every girl — championing their rights, amplifying their voices, and investing in their futures. 💙 When girls are empowered, they build a better future for themselves and for the world. 🎥 Watch this video celebrating the many potentials of girls in Timor-Leste. Our Right, Our Voices, Our Goals. #GirlGoals #DayoftheGirl #IDG2025 Patrizia Di Giovanni

On World Mental Health Day 2025 today, Ms. Patrizia DiGiovanni, UNICEF Country Representative for Timor-Leste reminds young people that taking care of our mental well-being is as important as taking care of our physical health. She also announces the start of the Youth-led Mental Health Audio Challenge—an initiative that UNICEF is implementing in partnership with Spotify, using digital platforms to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health in Timor-Leste. Watch the video until the end. #OnMyMind #WMHD2025 Patrizia Di Giovanni

Today is World Mental Health Day 2025   Children and young people worldwide face growing mental health challenges, and emergencies make it even harder to cope.   UNICEF and partners urge governments to put mental health at the heart of all responses, so every child can heal and thrive.   #OnMyMind #WMHD2025

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSSI) with support from UNICEF are conducting a 5-day training for 30 justice professionals and social actors across the country on the Law on Protection of Children and Youth in Danger. Thirty more participants will join next week. Adopted in 2023, this landmark law protects children and youth from violence. The training was officially opened by H.E, Dr. Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, Minister of Justice, with the presence of H.E Verónica das Dores, Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion; H.E Dr. Afonso Carmona, President of Court of Appeal; Dr. Jacinto Babo, Deputy of Prosecutor General; Dr. Cancio Xavier, Public Defender General and Patrizia DiGiovanni, UNICEF Country Representative to Timor-Leste. This training is being rolled out across the country, with this phase focusing on justice professionals. The objective is to strengthen the Multi-Agency Approach and Coordination in Implementing the law, especially on court procedures and referrals between justice and social sectors. This is part of UNICEF’s efforts to strengthen the child protection system in the country by ensuring all relevant service providers are fully trained on how to implement the Law on Protection of Children and Youth in Danger.  ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2025/JTalimeta Patrizia Di Giovanni Suman Khadka, PhD

Let’s start the week with a powerful reminder from Article 2 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: Discrimination has no place in a child’s life. Every child deserves to be valued, protected, and empowered—regardless of race, gender, ability, language, religion, or background. This week and always, let’s commit to creating a world where inclusion, respect, and equality are everyday realities for every child. 

On 30 September 2025, the Ministry of Health, with support from GAVI, the vaccine alliance, World Health Organization and UNICEF, conducted a national validation workshop on the National Immunisation Strategy (NIS) 2026-2030 and its Costed Plan. The workshop took place in Dili Municipality, with the objective of critically reviewing the costed draft NIS and providing necessary feedback and recommendation for adjustment. The workshop was officially opened by H.E. José dos Reis Magno, Vice-Minister for Institutional Strengthening in Health, Ministry of Health. Dr. Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative; Ms. Teija Vallandingham, UNICEF Deputy Representative, Programme,; representative from national and international NGOs, staff from the Ministry of Health, WHO and UNICEF, were in attendance. The National Immunisation Strategy 2026–2030 is a landmark effort to strengthen immunisation programme management in the country. It lays out a clear vision for universal access to safe, effective, and sustainable immunisation for a healthier Timor-Leste. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2025/DMonemnasi Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance WHO Timor-Leste Teija Vallandingham

On 25 September 2025, last week, H.E. Dominic Jermey, the British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, visited the Baucau Municipality, where he observed the impact of Mother Support Groups, (MSG), in providing community led mobilisation and health outreach services. The visit provided Ambassador Jeremy with a clear overview of how the nutrition programmes usually operate through community outreach at the village level. During the visit, Ambassador Jeremy interacted with mothers, their children, young people, community members, local authorities, health staff from the Ministry of Health from both national and municipal levels, national NGOs, UNICEF staff, and members of the Mothers Support Group. The Government of the United Kingdom and UNICEF jointly support the Ministry of Health’s community- based nutrition programme in Baucau and Viqueque municipalities, aiming to improve the nutritional status of children and their families. Through this support, 1,382 MSG members in Baucau and Viqueque municipalities have been trained and deployed to support caregivers in reducing and responding to malnutrition among their children. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2025/DMonemnasi UK in Indonesia - British Embassy Jakarta

Weekends are for love, laughter, and connection. 💙 They’re the perfect time to slow down, reconnect, and make lasting memories with our children. ✨ What are your plans to show love, care, and support to your children this weekend? #Parenting #foreverychild

INDDICA, with support from UNICEF, hosted the National Bogotá Pledge Progress Consultation in Dili on 23 September 2025. The event brought together government ministries and civil society partners to review progress on Timor-Leste’s ten strategic pledges to end violence against children, covering justice reform, education, digital safety, and social welfare. Stakeholders shared updates and coordinated next steps to strengthen national efforts to protect every child. “This National Consultation is an important platform to assess progress in implementing the Bogotá Commitment in Timor-Leste. It serves to unite and complement the efforts of the government, civil society, and international partners to strengthen child protection in the country. I thank UNICEF and all partners for their continued support to INDDICA in this mission,” said President of INDDICA, Sra. Dinorah Granadeiro. UNICEF Representative, Patrizia DiGiovanni, added, “This consultation is a vital step to jointly reflect on progress so far. It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements made so far but also identify areas for improvement, and strengthen our collective efforts to accelerate actions in areas we lag behind.” #UNICEF #ForEveryChild