“Women in Leadership and Diplomacy Forum” Training Series – Advancing Women, Peace and Security Agenda: National Action Plan 1325

Timor-Leste demonstrates its full commitment in advancing development progresses and promoting gender equality and women’s participation and leadership across sectors including local governance, peace and security and international and diplomatic affairs.

Under the leadership of H.E Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Dr. Bendito Freitas, Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC) in coordination with the General Directorate for ASEAN Affairs is mandated to implement day-to-day activities and oversee ASEAN-related policies and initiatives in Timor-Leste, and coordinate activities within the Ministry and foster collaboration with ASEAN institutions and Member States.

Three National Correspondents are appointed to provide support in alignment with the ASEAN’s three pillars: the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). These National Correspondents work closely with their respective ASEAN counterparts to promote cooperation, address regional challenges, and advance mutual interests within each pillar.  Guided by the Vice Minister, these entities form an integrated framework to efficiently manage and enhance Timor-Leste’s engagement with ASEAN.

The UN Women works closely with the Office of the ASEAN Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC) and line ministries by embedding technical support within the Ministries and mainstreaming gender in all aspects of strategies and policies making, and strengthening institutional capacities in understanding and implementing the international and regional normative frameworks related to gender equality, and promoting women’s full and meaningful leadership at all levels. UN Women provides technical support tailored to the local political and economic context gender and women in leadership related issues.

On 30 September 2023, the MNEC – Office for ASEAN Affairs and UN Women jointly re-activated the “Women in Leadership and Diplomacy Forum” for strengthening supportive network amongst women leaders in governance and public affairs, ambassadors and diplomats, and upscaling the outreach and advocacy for increased women’s leadership and gender equality in other areas contributing to peace and sustainable development, and post-COVID-19 recovery of the country and in the region. T The Forum expanded support networks among Timorese women leaders, fostering intergenerational exchanges and mentorship opportunities between experienced and emerging leaders across sectors. This contributes to the implementation of its national commitments in international and regional WPS agenda, and advocate for women’s empowerment and transformative leadership, and equal representation across sectors.

The re-activation of the “Women in Leadership and Diplomacy Forum” presented an array of opportunities for continued and consistent engagement amongst state actors, current and emerging women leaders across sectors and from diverse backgrounds. The Forum will be followed by a series of workshops and annual activities tailored for strengthening capacity and skills of women leaders across different public sectors, and enhancing their understanding of gender and development issues, and the localization of WPS agenda in Timor-Leste.

Objectives

• To strengthen the MNEC’s capacity in implementing national commitments in the international and regional normative instruments on gender equality and women’s rights, including the CEDAW and the Concluding Observation, UNSCR 1325, and other ASEAN’s policies and strategies on gender equality.
• To provide training to MNEC focal points and technical staff involved in the implementation of the second NAP 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and increase their understanding of WPS, and strengthen their capacity in the NAP 1325 implementation, monitoring and reporting.