UK Government and Timor-Leste Ministry of Education Launch the STEP Project to Empower Youth and Promote Gender Equality
In a collaborative effort to enhance educational access and tackle gender barriers to skills development, the UK Government and the Ministry of Education of Timor-Leste officially launched the Skills Training for Economic Participation (STEP) project. This initiative is part of the ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education (ASEAN-UK SAGE) Programme, which aims to improve educational access and address gender disparities in employability skills across Southeast Asia.
The STEP project, a pioneering pilot initiative, will equip young people in the municipalities of Oecusse and Lautem with vital skills to enhance their financial independence and contribute meaningfully to their communities. The programme will focus on rural youth, particularly young girls, offering training in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and soft skills. These courses are designed to align with local economic opportunities and will be co-implemented by UN Women, an organization with deep local knowledge and a strong track record in gender-responsive programming.
Despite outperforming boys academically, girls in Timor-Leste face significant barriers to entering the workforce. According to 2023 World Bank data, women’s labour force participation in Timor-Leste is just 24.2%, compared to 36.9% for men. Cultural norms, limited access to training, and unequal opportunities often result in many young women being relegated to informal, low-wage jobs or remaining economically dependent.
STEP is determined to break this cycle by offering practical, locally relevant training and mentorship. The programme will deliver 100 hours of training in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and soft skills to 100 young people (80 girls and 20 boys), equipping them with the tools to either start their own businesses or secure local employment. The project will also train and mentor 20 teachers from Vocational Schools and Community Learning Centres, ensuring long-term sustainability beyond the project's completion. Both skills training and teacher development will take place in Vocational Schools, part of the formal education system, and in Community Learning Centres that target school dropouts, offering them a pathway back into education through an equivalency programme.
As part of its commitment to providing real-world exposure, STEP will partner with local role models and businesses, offering students opportunities for workplace visits, guest talks, and mentorship. In addition, the project will engage local communities to raise awareness about the value of girls’ economic participation, aiming to challenge and dismantle gender-based barriers to training and employment.
The project was launched at a special event at the Ministry of Education on Friday 11 April, attended by Ms. Odilia das Dores Ung Martins, Director-General of Planning, Policy, Inclusion and Informatics to the Ministry of Education, Mr. Craig Farmer, Team Leader of the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, Mr. Miguel Enrico Aguiling Pangalangan, Project Manager for the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Secretariat (SEAMEO) and Nishtha Satyam, Head of Office, UN Women in Timor-Leste.
Ms. Odilia das Dores Ung Martins, Director-General of Planning, Policy, Inclusion and Informatics to the Ministry of Education, said: “Teachers and students from the Ministry of Education's Technical Vocational Education schools and CLCs will be engaged in the STEP project, a new and innovative approach developed to enhance their employment capacity, improve access to education, and strengthen foundational learning outcomes for girls and marginalized groups, helping them reach their full potential. The STEP project will help combat gender disparities - it is critical to understand the education experiences of girls throughout their lives. This will help address learning poverty in the two municipalities and ensure that all girls meet their potential.”
Ahead of the launch, representatives from the Ministry, ASEAN-UK SAGE, and UN Women visited Oecusse and Lautem, where they engaged with vocational students, teachers, community leaders, and local businesses. These field visits provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities on the ground, ensuring the programme is tailored to local needs and aspirations. Based on the results of the field visit, Ms. Nishtha Satyam, Head of Office, UN Women Timor-Leste, said that "our conversations with youth and community members in Oecusse and Lautem revealed a deep hunger for change and for opportunities that respect local realities. This project will not only empower young women but also uplift entire communities by providing skills that can drive economic growth and break down long-standing gender barriers."
Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim, Director, SEAMEO Secretariat commented: “SEAMEO Secretariat is proud to support the STEP initiative as part of the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme. This pilot demonstrates our shared commitment to responsive, inclusive education and gender equity, guided by the dedicated leadership of the Ministry of Education of Timor-Leste. We are optimistic about the positive outcomes this partnership will achieve."
The STEP initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration between governments, communities, and international partners in addressing gender inequality and unlocking the potential of the next generation. Speaking to the importance of the programme, Mr. Craig Farmer, Team Leader of the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, commented: "This is not just a training programme; it’s an investment in the future of Timor-Leste. The British Council team and our partners in ASEAN-UK SAGE are proud to support a project that is grounded in the aspirations of young people and informed by the voices of communities themselves. We are excited to embark on this journey with UN Women and the Ministry of Education in Timor-Leste."
Amanda McLoughlin OBE, Development Director of UK Mission to ASEAN said: “This initiative underscores the UK Government's commitment to fostering economic growth and sustainable development through education and skills training. By equipping rural youth, especially girls, with essential entrepreneurship, digital, and soft skills, we aim to empower them to achieve financial independence and contribute meaningfully to their communities. This project aligns with our broader policy goals of promoting gender equality and economic resilience in Southeast Asia.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners in the ASEAN-UK SAGE programme, specifically the British Council and UN Women in Timor-Leste, and the Ministry of Education of Timor-Leste, for their invaluable collaboration and support in making this initiative a reality”
Funded by UK International Development, the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme seeks to improve foundational learning in Timor-Leste, with a particular focus on girls and marginalized groups. The programme is delivered by the British Council and the SEAMEO Secretariat, in partnership with EdTech Hub and ACER, as part of the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action.