Breaking Barriers, Building Better Livelihoods: Integrated GBV Response in Timor- Leste

(Terminated during global mass project closures by USAID in February 2025)

The Breaking Barriers activity aimed to dismantle systematic gender barriers by implementing an integrated GBV prevention and response across four municipalities: Bobonaro, Covalima, Ermera, and Liquica. The activity’s four objectives aimed to change systemic gender barriers: community engagement activities sessions to educate on GBV and social norms, economic empowerment support for survivors of GBV, male engagement activities using a gender transformative approach, and GBV health provider training and health facility readiness. After the first year of the activity, HAMNASA:

• Created 30 Community Microplanning Groups to strengthen the GBV referral network and discuss the law against GBV
• Worked with men’s groups and school groups on GBV prevention
• Carried out supportive supervision of midwives to improve quality of assistance provided to GBV survivors in 11 clinics
• Carried out market and livelihoods assessments to identify potential value chains; and
• Facilitated business and improved poultry management training to GBV survivors.