Sipriano Gusmão, Chefe de Suku (hamlet’s chief) in Holpilat, in the administrative post of Maukatar, Covalima municipality, is working together with civil society organizations and relevant institutions to lead his community towards safety and equality. “I am proud of the programs implemented directly in my village. The information-sharing sessions bring positive change to my community, including to the members of the village council. We are now more knowledgeable on important matters, such as how to prevent various forms of violence. These educational workshops have taught me that domestic violence and GBV are public crimes that leaders cannot resolve solely within their own authority. I now know how to tell the difference between civil and criminal cases, as well as how to navigate the referral process for criminal cases.

Holpilat village’s chief has been working to promote gender balance within the village council structure while also preventing discrimination against women: in August 2024, he completed the structure of the village council by appointing a woman as the head of Suku Hatu and in September 2024, when a dispute occurred concerning a communal land and the school located in Suku Lela, he immediately raised the issue to the village’s council, preventing any potential violence within the community. “Even though I’m the highest community leader in the village, I cannot resolve these matters alone. To avoid triggering further violence, I continue to call on village council members, including suku chiefs, to continue sharing information with the community to prevent issues that may lead to violence. I also urge all to avoid using undignified language, particularly towards people with disabilities."

This firsthand account shows how the Together for Equality project has been empowering local leaders to drive positive change and develop a supporting network that acknowledges gender equality and gender-based violence (GBV) as a critical community issue.

This project, funded by KOICA, brings together several UN agencies dedicated to promoting gender equality and ending GBV in Timor-Leste. Implemented in collaboration with Grupu Feto Foinsa'e Timor Lorosa'e (GFFTL), a civil society organization (CSO), it aims to raise community awareness, educate leaders on GBV prevention and response, and improve crucial support structures within communities. Together for Equality empowers leaders like  Sipriano Gusmão, Xefe Suku Holpilat, through capacity-building sessions and community engagement, promoting safer and more inclusive communities. Mr. Gusmão’s proactive approach, guided by the project training, shows how empowered communities can effectively prevent and respond to GBV.