Women Protection, Peace and Economic Development

Women and Child Protection, Economic Development and the Promotion of Peace and Democracy

Empowering Women to Lead: Stories of Progress from Covalima Municipality, Timor-Leste

In Covalima and Ermera municipalities, the “Women Protection, Peace and Economic Development” project continues to bring transformative change to the lives of women through personalized, grassroots support. In recent months, one-on-one coaching sessions in both municipalities—especially in Covalima—have helped beneficiaries make significant progress on their personal and business action plans. These efforts are not just transforming individual lives but also laying the groundwork for broader community empowerment and economic resilience.

A key highlight of this journey was the Covalima Municipality Ideas Exchange and Networking Forum, held on June 26, 2025, under the theme:
“Empowering Women to Access Credit to Start Innovative Businesses.”

Attended by 69 women participants, alongside representatives from government institutions, police, financial organizations, and local authorities, the forum served as a dynamic space to:

• Share innovative business experiences that increase family income
• Strengthen networks among women entrepreneurs
• Empower women to form cooperatives and access business credit
• Boost confidence in women’s decision-making in family economies

Through engaging discussions and testimonials, the forum celebrated the determination and success of women participants—many of whom had faced substantial barriers. One woman’s story particularly captured the spirit of the initiative:

“I feel proud of this forum because I was able to share the experiences I gained after participating in the Ba Futuru program. When I first planned to start a business, I faced multiple setbacks due to family pressures. But through training, one-on-one support, and encouragement from my husband, I gained the confidence to use the resources I had and launched my first action plan—a clothing business. Later, I expanded with a gasoline business, which is now running successfully. I’ve completed the first and second phases of my plan and am eager to take it further because I’ve seen the positive impact it has on my family’s life. This forum strengthened my resolve to access microcredit and continue growing. I’ve learned that strong commitment is the key to achieving our goals.”

This is just one of many powerful testimonies emerging from Covalima—stories of resilience, innovation, and transformation. The forum not only allowed women to reflect on their personal journeys, but also provided them with practical tools, insights from experts, and the motivation to pursue their dreams.

These inspiring moments are made possible through the generous support of partners like GlobalGiving. With your continued support, Ba Futuru is empowering more women to rise as leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers in their communities.

Together, we are building peace, protecting rights, and paving pathways to economic independence.