LocationsEmpowering partners and contractors to uphold dignity, safety, and accountability in development work across Timor-Leste
UNDP Timor-Leste Strengthens Safeguards with PSEAH Training for Partners and Contractors
August 9, 2025
Participants engage in a group discussion and brainstorming session during the PSEAH training, exploring practical strategies to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment in their work contexts.
Julia Belo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Dili, Timor-Leste - 31 July 2025: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Timor-Leste has reinforced its commitment to safe, respectful, and accountable workplaces by delivering a capacity-building training on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) for implementing partners and contractors.
This initiative reflects UNDP’s unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity, dignity, and human rights in all development operations. As the UN’s lead development agency, UNDP recognizes that creating safe environments - free from exploitation, abuse, and harassment - is essential for sustainable and inclusive progress. Safeguarding is not only a moral and legal responsibility but also a prerequisite for building trust between development partners, communities, and the people they serve.
The one-day training, facilitated by UNDP’s Regional PSEAH Specialist alongside project-level PSEAH Focal Points, was designed to strengthen participants’ ability to prevent, identify, and report cases of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse in both workplace and community contexts. The participatory approach included interactive discussions, group exercises, and culturally relevant awareness methods to ensure messages resonate in local contexts and among diverse partners.
Ms. Inacia Teixeira, Programme Analyst and Head of the Programme Management Support Unit, delivers a presentation during the PSEAH training to participants from government institutions, civil society organisations, and private contractors engaged in UNDP-supported projects across Timor-Leste.
Julia Belo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Participants included representatives from government institutions, civil society organisations, and private contractors engaged in UNDP-supported projects nationwide. Recognizing their vital role in delivering development outcomes, UNDP stressed that safeguarding human dignity and promoting accountability are shared responsibilities across all implementing partners and contractors.
Opening remarks were delivered on behalf of UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Katyna Argueta by Chief Technical Advisor Mr. Bruno de Lencastre. The training began with a comprehensive presentation led by Ms. Inacia Teixeira, Programme Analyst/Head of the Programme Management Support Unit, and Ms. Rosa Cardos, Project Officer. This session covered definitions and distinctions between Sexual Harassment (SH) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), UNDP’s Code of Conduct, real-life red flags, and safe reporting mechanisms.
Group exercises formed a core part of the session, with participants working on tailored case studies to apply their learning to real-world scenarios. Presentations from each group encouraged peer learning and collaborative problem-solving. Materials in Tetum were also distributed to reinforce key messages and display reporting channels in local languages.
Closing remarks from Ms. Ines Soares Pereira, Environmental Officer, emphasised the importance of fostering trust, respect, and accountability across all levels of project implementation. Post-session interviews revealed that the training significantly improved participants’ understanding of prevention strategies and reporting procedures, strengthening their commitment to act against SH and SEA.
Through this initiative, UNDP reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, demonstrating its leadership in promoting a culture of protection and accountability within Timor-Leste’s development sector. The training not only raised awareness but also laid the foundation for behavioural change, helping ensure that all individuals engaged in development work can operate in safe and respectful environments.
A man and a woman actively engage in discussion during the PSEAH training, exchanging ideas on practical measures to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment in their respective project contexts.
Julia Belo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
About UNDP in Timor-Leste
The United Nations Development Programme works with the Government of Timor-Leste, civil society, and development partners to promote inclusive growth, strengthen democratic governance, advance climate resilience, and safeguard human rights. Guided by the principles of equality, dignity, and sustainability, UNDP supports initiatives that empower communities, protect the most vulnerable, and build a more resilient and prosperous future for all Timorese people.
Related
content
content
