Jakarta, 1 – 4 September 2026 — Three women leaders from the Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) participated in the Southeast Asia Management Leadership Programme, held in Jakarta from 1–4 September 2026 as part of the Women as Humanitarian Leaders (WaHL) Initiative. The programme was hosted by Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI) Jakarta in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), bringing together emerging and current women leaders from across Southeast Asia to strengthen their leadership, management and strategic skills in humanitarian action.
Representing CVTL were Maria Pasquela da Cruz, CVTL Livelihood Manager; Martina Mendonca, CVTL Dili Branch Coordinator; and Elisabeth G.L. dos S. Belo, ICBRR Project Manager and First Aid Programme Focal Point. The four-day programme focused on the theme “Leading Beyond Boundaries: Courage, Influence, and Impact”, providing participants with opportunities to develop greater self-awareness, professional confidence, strategic thinking, negotiation and influence skills. The programme also encouraged participants to strengthen connections and build a regional network of women humanitarian leaders.
Throughout the programme, participants engaged in interactive learning sessions, leadership discussions, peer networking, collaborative exercises and practical simulations. The programme also included field-level learning through visits to PMI operations, including the PMI National Headquarters, Emergency Operations Centre and PMI Bogor Hospital, as well as a visit to the ASEAN Office and the IFRC Jakarta Office. These activities enabled participants to learn from humanitarian operations in Indonesia and explore how leadership, innovation and inclusive approaches can contribute to stronger community-based humanitarian action.
The programme reflects the broader commitment of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to advancing gender equality and increasing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making. It also supports the Hanoi Call for Action, particularly the commitment to strengthening gender parity within National Society and IFRC leadership. By investing in women leaders and providing practical management and leadership development opportunities, the initiative contributes to building a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable humanitarian leadership pipeline across the region.
The CVTL participants expressed their heartfelt gratitude to IFRC and the WaHL Initiative for providing them with this valuable opportunity to learn, exchange experiences and strengthen their leadership capacities. They highlighted the importance of bringing the knowledge, skills and experiences gained from the programme back to CVTL and using them to contribute to stronger teamwork, inclusive leadership and more effective humanitarian services for communities in Timor-Leste. The participation of CVTL women leaders in this regional programme represents an important step toward empowering women to take greater leadership roles within the Movement and humanitarian sector.
for more pictures check the link attached https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GSUKNZ9JG/
