2024 International Children’s Day celebration in Covalima and Dili, Timor-Leste

Covalima and Dili, 1 June 2024 - Timor-Leste celebrated International Children’s Day on Saturday 1st June, with a high-level events held in Covalima and Dili under the theme - “Family to Invest in the best interest of children”.

The theme highlights the undeniable role of the family in offering a protective environment against the violation of children’s rights.

To mark this special day, which has been commemorated in Timor-Leste since 2003, the Government of Timor-Leste, UNICEF, and Civil Society Organisations collectively celebrated the progress for children’s rights in the country, while also committing to continue work towards addressing some challenges which affect children.

His Excellency, Eng. Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, led the celebrations in Covalima, at which more than 500 children, parents and teachers attended.

During a dialogue session at the event in Covalima, children candidly highlighted some pressing issues for children such as child labour, exploitation, and abuse. They also appealed to Government to help address the perennial challenges of access to good water and sanitation, which affects many schools.  A communique with these concerns from children, was presented to the VPM, Commission F, INDDICA and the Ombudsman for Human Rights.

The Human rights and Justice Ombudsman, H.E. Virgilio da Silva Guterres, called on Government to make substantial investments in securing the future of children, in the same manner that special funding is currently being allocated for the elderly and veterans.