Juventude ba Dezenvolvimentu Násional

Timor-Leste is one of the world’s youngest countries and despite making impressive progress since independence, it remains one of the most disadvantaged countries in South East Asia. According to the most recent census in 2015, 60.7% of the total population is under 25 years, of whom 21% are aged 15-24 years. Youth unemployment and disadvantage is a critical issue and there are limited industries in which young people can find employment.

JDN was established in 2014 when a group of young people aged 17 – 24 years came together to discuss the issues impacting their lives. They engage a membership of over 200 young people in discussion and action on key issues and builds their leadership capacity so youth voices play a role in nation-building in Timor-Leste. Their programs are identified, designed and delivered by young people. JDN works across a number of issues, including education programs for young women on nutrition, public health work on covid-19 prevention and small income generating activities including JDN history tours and sexual and reproductive health. But one of the key concerns raised by the young people that JDN works with was gender-based violence and harassment. JDN has a plan to make public spaces safer and to reduce the incidences of sexual harassment and discrimination. They want to empower young women and men to take action in their family, community and on public transport and to develop collectives of young women that understand their rights and have skills and confidence to stand up to sexual harassment and discrimination. They want to advocate for systems change, stronger regulation and training of drivers in public transport. And they want to involve young men in challenging behaviours and gender stereotypes.

As well as their focus on young women, JDN is also addressing sexual harassment and inequality of young women and men who live with disability. They work alongside young people with disability to identify the most important issues in their lives, and provide training and support to take meaningful action