LocationsEmpowering Women and Marginalized Communities in Timor-Leste’s Clean Energy Transition through the Launch of a Gender Mainstreaming Manual
Gender at the Heart of Climate Action
August 10, 2025
Training participants learned implementation of an on-grid rooftop solar system at the National Institute of Pharmacy and Medical Products (INFPM) supported by UNDP Pacific Green Transformation.
UNDP Timor-Leste /Ayumi Kimura
A training held in Dili, Timor-Leste, from 22-25 July 2025 marked the launch of the Gender Mainstreaming: A Practical Manual for Renewable Energy Initiatives in the Pacific. The event brought together government officials, energy practitioners, and development partners in the country to explore approaches for integrating gender considerations into renewable energy programmes across the Pacific.
Mr. Cristovao Fauto Guterres, Chief of Cabinet at the Ministry of Public Works, (left in the middle) Ms. Senhora Maria Filomena Bano, Interim General Director of the Secretary of State for Equality (right in the middle), Ms. Katyna Argueta, UNDP Timor-Leste Resident Representative (in the middle) and training participants and facilitators.
UNDP Timor-Leste /Ayumi Kimura
As the effects of climate change grow more severe, it is important to ensure that women and marginalized groups are actively empowered to build strong, fair communities. Mr. Cristovao Fauto Guterres, Chief of Cabinet at the Ministry of Public Works, emphasized, “By addressing gender-specific needs and barriers, gender mainstreaming can lead to more effective and inclusive energy access programmes. Empowering women through access to energy and related economic opportunities can improve livelihoods and contribute to poverty reduction.”
The Gender Mainstreaming Manual is a simple guide to help energy workers and communities include gender issues in their work. It also comes with ready-to-use slides to help people learn from each other.
The Gender and Energy Toolkit enhances participants' ability to carry out gender analysis, consultations, and advocacy within energy initiatives.
UNDP Timor-Leste /Ayumi Kimura
Across the Pacific region, deep structural inequalities remain. In energy utilities, 95 percent of technical roles are held by men, and only one of the 26 energy ministers is a woman. Many women, especially in rural and off-grid communities, lack access to affordable, clean energy due to high costs, limited financing, and exclusion from household and community-level decision-making. In addition, gender-based violence and safety concerns often hinder their ability to participate in energy programmes or safely access services.
The manual helps energy workers understand the distinct needs and experiences of women. It offers tools and methods to make sure women’s voices are heard and included in decision-making.
One of its key recommendations is to prioritize small-scale, off-grid renewable energy solutions, which tend to be more accessible and adaptable. These systems have proven effective in improving livelihoods, enhancing safety, and saving time, especially for women who carry the bulk of domestic responsibilities.
Another central recommendation is the development and implementation of Gender Action Plans (GAPs). These plans translate gender analysis into concrete, measurable activities that support inclusion at every stage of a project. For GAPs to be successful, the toolkit emphasizes the need for dedicated resources, active stakeholder engagement, and consistent monitoring to track gender outcomes.
The training encompassed interactive group exercises, storytelling, role-playing, and the application of tools, enabling participants to engage with real or simulated energy projects.
UNDP Timor-Leste /Ayumi Kimura
In Timor-Leste, climate change is making existing inequalities worse. The manual provides relevant guidance on ensuring gender equality is a key part of energy and climate projects. By training relevant people to use the manual, this effort strongly aligns with Timor-Leste’s national priorities, as outlined in the Strategic Development Plan 2011–2030 and the National Policy for Gender Equality. The project also supports the government’s broader work on gender and public service reform, led by the State Secretariat for Equality and Inclusion.
Addressing the training, Ms.Maria Filomena Bano, General Director of the Secretary of State for Equality, encouraged participants: “Let this training be a space to challenge assumptions, learn from each other, and equip ourselves with the tools to transform the energy sector from the inside out. Let’s work together to ensure that the clean energy transition leaves no one behind.”
Ms. Katyna Argueta, UNDP Timor-Leste Resident Representative, added: “Women are disproportionately affected by energy poverty, and as such, are essential agents of change in achieving universal access to sustainable energy. I am confident this four-day workshop will equip participants with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to mainstream gender in energy programming in a way that is practical, culturally appropriate, and aligned with national priorities.”
The participants actively exchanged views and opinions on community practices related to gender equality in the energy sector.
UNDP Timor-Leste /Ayumi Kimura
The toolkit’s relevance extends well beyond Timor-Leste. Many Pacific Island countries face similar barriers to gender-inclusive energy access such as small populations, geographic isolation, and limited infrastructure. Evidence shows that gender-responsive projects are more effective, sustainable, and likely to earn community support. Global research even suggests that advancing gender equality in energy could contribute up to $12 trillion to global GDP by 2030, underlining the economic as well as moral case for inclusion.
Ms. Guilly de Fatima and participants received certificates from UNDP trainers for the completion of the four-day training.
UNDP Timor-Leste /Ayumi Kimura
Ms. Guilly de Fatima, with the Disability People Organization in Timor-Leste (Rais Hadomi Timor Oan), shared, “I am honoured to be the first women with disabilities attending this training. This training highlights the interconnection not only between energy and gender, but also between inclusion and accessibility of marginalized people. Today’s lessons should be shared widely to inform the national implementation of disability-related laws.”
Ms. Yohana Giam, a student at the Department of Electronic Engineering expressed, "Energy sector, including engineering, is normally dominated by men. This training amplifies the opportunity for women and promotes their values, and challenges our gender norms in local communities, traditional cultures, and beyond.”
Through resources and training like these, the message is clear: Gender must be at the heart of climate action.
Maria Fatima Dias, a National Engineer who supervises solar panel installations, explains the system functions of battery storage at the National Institute of Pharmacy and Medical Products (INFPM).
UNDP Timor-Leste /Ayumi Kimura
This manual is designed to help integrate gender equality into renewable energy initiatives across the Pacific and developed by the Pacific Green Transformation Project, funded by the Government of Japan. The project is supporting communities in Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu switch to renewable energy, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and create sustainable, green solutions for future generations.
Participants received a certificate after a four-day training. UNDP Pacific Green Transformation promotes the application of gender-responsive approaches in energy projects and policies for a sustainable future for all.
UNDP Timor-Leste /Ayumi Kimura
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