11 October is like no other day – it's a special day to celebrate the strength of girls everywhere! On International Day of the Girl, we highlight the incredible resilience of girls who are breaking barriers, lifting each other up and proving that their voices matter.
In Timor-Leste, while progress has been made in building a child protection system, domestic and family violence is still frequent, with childhoods – especially those of girls – threatened.
This is where the Girls Empowered Program comes in, which aims to build self-confidence and life skills among girls.
During a recent visit to Timor-Leste, Tsehay, the Yellow Wiggle and UNICEF Australia Ambassador, spoke with Ermerenciana, a Girls Empowered alumna, about her experiences growing up in Timor-Leste and what she had learnt from the program.
Keep reading below to find out how the conversation went...
Tsehay: Hi Emerenciana, thank you for chatting with me today. You participated in the Girls Empowered program - could you tell us a bit more about it?
Ermerenciana: I’m grateful that I participated in the Girls Empowered program because growing up I didn’t feel confident, and I wasn’t comfortable with what I wanted to say.
In the program, I learnt how to talk to others and express my thoughts. I also learnt things I didn’t learn at school, like sexual health and reproduction. Through the program, I learnt more about my body, like menstruation, so I’m fortunate to have that knowledge.
I know not many girls have been able to participate in the program, so I’m thankful for my experience.
Tsehay: As a young woman growing up in Timor, what were some of the biggest challenges you and other girls faced in your community?
Ermerenciana: The challenges for women and young girls here that we see is the violence – sexual, physical – especially for girls in relationships. For young children, there can be physical violence from a parent, as they can get hit as well.
Tsehay: How has the Girls Empowered program helped you face these challenges?
Ermerenciana: From the training I received, I learnt how to speak up. For example, when parents are hurting their children physically, we know it's not right. When children make mistakes, rather than use violence, we can speak to them instead and encourage them. This is something we’ve been able to share in our community.
Tsehay: How has the program made you think differently about being a girl and the opportunities available to you?
Ermerenciana: I’m most proud of the knowledge and skills that I’ve gained through the training, especially in terms of leadership and how to make decisions. I know now how to understand my emotions, how to stand in front of people and talk confidently.
Tsehay: My final question is what advice would you give to other girls facing similar changes?
Ermerenciana: My message to other girls is to be strong. Whatever challenges you have now, you can face them and keep going.
"The work that UNICEF has done to help [girls] be comfortable, talk about these things, realise what's okay and what's not okay, and be able to grow as women in Timor-Leste, that is absolutely beautiful."
Over 100 girls from two municipalities are currently part of the Girl Empowerment Program, supported by UNICEF Australia.
“The girl I am, the change I lead”
All around the world, girls like Ermerenciana are stepping up to tackle today’s biggest challenges and exemplifying this year’s theme of “The girl I am, the change I lead”.
From demanding an end to violence, educating others and actively building their futures, they’re making their voices heard. It’s time we listen to them.
This International Day of the Girl, help create a more equal world for every girl.
These programs are only possible thanks to our everyday supporters, partners and the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
Education for Every Girl
Let’s break down the barriers and help girls to become relentless and empowered.
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