Photo together between Fokupers Team and Balibo Village Council, Photo: Fokupers Lens, Date: 25/5/2026
Balibo, 25–26 May 2026 – Fokupers conducted training on “Counselling, Referral Network, Gender Equality, and Prevention of Gender Based Violence (GBV)” for 26 community leaders (13 women and 13 men), in Balibo Village, and Bobonaro Municipality.
The training aimed to increase community leaders and youth’s understanding of the concept of gender equality and gender-based violence (GBV), while also strengthening their capacity to support victims of violence through referral networks.
In addition to discussing basic concepts of gender and GBV, the training also provides basic knowledge and skills in counseling, enabling participants to provide appropriate initial support to victims or individuals affected by GBV before referral to more specialized services.
Through this activity, Fokupers seeks to strengthen the role of local leaders and youth as agents of change and community protectors capable of creating safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups who experience or are at risk of violence.
The training also provides an opportunity for community authorities to understand how to identify, respond, and refer cases of GBV according to established procedures. tThis activity encourages strengthening coordination and cooperation between community authorities and various relevant institutions to ensure that victims receive appropriate services and create an environment that respects human rights and is free from all forms of violence.
Fokupers believes that the active involvement of local leaders is a crucial factor in strengthening violence prevention efforts and promoting equality between women and men at the community level. By increasing participants’ knowledge and capacity, they are expected to become effective sources of information, advocates, and links to communities in need of GBV-related support and services.
Training participants came from suku council members, suku chiefs, suku delegates, community leaders, suku administration personnel, and student interns. They represent seven sub-villages: Amandato, Atara, Balibo Villa, Belola, Builekun, Fatuk Laran, and Fatululik.
Through this activity, Fokupers reaffirms its commitment to strengthen community protection, raise awareness of gender equality, and build a safe and gender-based violence-free community in Timor-Leste.
We thank Misereor for their ongoing support of this important work.
