STRONG (Sustainability of responsive optimistic approach to increasing Nutrition for adolescent girls and young women) is a program aimed at enhancing the health, productivity, and breaking the cycle of malnutrition among adolescent girls and young women, as well as fostering youth engagement in nutrition and health support for children aged 2 and below and adolescent girls and young women. In Timor-Leste, the focus is primarily on sustainable nutrition outcomes, supported by CRS (Catholic Relief Services), in collaboration with CVTL activities in Covalima Municipality.
In April 2024, the CVTL and CRS teams conducted a baseline survey and data collection on anthropocentric measurements (height and weight) of adolescent girls and young women in Covalima and Ermera. The baseline survey builds upon beneficiary registration conducted from January to March 2024 in Covalima and Ermera. For the baseline survey, the STRONG team conducted random sampling of adolescent girls and young women who were alreadyregistered.
The survey’s main questions revolve around health, nutrition for adolescent girls and young women, as well as agriculture, land, and financial services through SILC (Savings and Internal Lending Communities).
Additionally, in the baseline survey on anthropocentric measurements, we also engaged enumerators and worked with INS (National Institute of Health) to ensure the quality of the baseline data.