While women in the field of engineering face a challenge. “For female engineers, working at a construction site in a rural area is not easy, because it requires not only physical strength but also mental toughness. In general, the road condition to a rural construction site is bad, we carry heavy materials and work outside all day. Although it’s a tough job, we cheer up one another and I’m doing my best for my team” explained Felizita. “During the practice, we help each other. The most important thing in the GCF training programme is that we are gaining hands-on knowledge and skills at the construction site. Currently, we’re doing practices at road constructions in the rural area of Aileu municipality. I’m very excited about the upcoming training on the irrigation system, water supply, and flood protection. I believe that the wide range of training will help me to conduct an effective implementation of construction projects and will benefit the local communities in the future“.

After the GCF training programme, the engineers will join other construction sites supported by the GCF project. “We are offering opportunities not only to learn skills, but also to use skills that they have learned. This is a sustainable cycle to make a country better,” said UNDP Head of Climate Change and Environment Unit, Mr. Domingos Lequi Siga Maria. Together with the government and partner agencies, UNDP Timor-Leste strives to ensure gender equality and an inclusive society while promoting sustainable adaptation to climate change.