Picture: PNTL
The objective of this short blog is to invite the public to engage in discussion and deepen their understanding of “The Role of Women in Peace and Security in Timor-Leste: Police Participation, Challenges, and Institutional Advances.” Fundasaun Mahein (FM) seeks to open a dialogue about how women’s roles within policing in Timor-Leste have evolved significantly over time. Where women were once limited mainly to peripheral and clerical duties, today they are increasingly involved in a broad range of operational responsibilities such as community policing, investigations, patrols, and taking on leadership roles. This positive change reflects a growing recognition, both within the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) and society at large, that women contribute far beyond traditional administrative functions. Their expanded participation strengthens the police force’s ability to address diverse community needs, enhances operational effectiveness, and improves relationships with the public. The distinct skills women bring—particularly in communication and conflict de-escalation—are vital for peacebuilding and for building trust in a post-conflict society.
Despite this progress, women remain underrepresented within the Timorese police force. As of 2022, women comprised only about 15 percent of the total police force, with an even smaller proportion—about 10 percent—occupying higher-ranking positions. The PNTL’s new Gender Strategy (2024–2028) aims to increase female participation to at least 18 percent by 2028 and to raise the share of women in leadership roles to 20 percent. FM recognises the strategic importance of gender equality in strengthening the institution. Female officers’ unique abilities, including handling sensitive cases involving vulnerable groups and promoting gender-responsive policing, are vital in building community trust and enhancing organisational performance. Continued efforts are underway to recruit more women—targeting a minimum of 30 percent in future recruitments—to make the police force more inclusive and reflective of Timor-Leste’s diverse society.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
Female police officers in Timor-Leste play an essential role in specialised areas involving women, children, and vulnerable groups, where their presence enhances trust, sensitivity, and effective handling of gender-based violence and social protection cases. Their involvement strengthens the police force’s gender neutrality and professionalism, contributing significantly to community support and broader social work. Moreover, female officers actively engage in leadership and training programs centred on human rights and ethical standards, bolstering the police organisation’s capacity to serve diverse community needs with fairness and respect.
As Timor-Leste prepares to join ASEAN by October 2025, female police officers are expected to take on expanded roles in regional cooperation and security initiatives. They may participate in ASEAN mechanisms combating transnational crimes like human trafficking, domestic violence, and child protection, where gender-sensitive policing is crucial. Additionally, their involvement in ASEAN-led training and policy advocacy will promote gender equality and social inclusion across the region, enhancing Timor-Leste’s contribution to ASEAN’s political-security and socio-cultural frameworks and demonstrating the country’s commitment to professionalism and human rights in regional law enforcement.
Contributions and Advantages
Female police officers play a vital role in community policing by utilising their strong interpersonal skills and their ability to build trust within communities. Their presence enhances communication between the police and the public, which is especially important in a country like Timor-Leste, where rebuilding social cohesion and restoring public trust in institutions remain a top priority. In this regard, FM emphasises that female officers often approach conflicts with empathy and patience, resulting in more effective conflict resolution without the need for excessive force. This approach not only improves public safety but also fosters a more positive image of the police force, encouraging greater cooperation and engagement from the community.
Moreover, having female officers in the police improves the handling of gender-sensitive crimes, such as domestic violence and sexual abuse—issues that remain critical in Timorese society. Their involvement helps to reduce gender discrimination within the police institution and the broader community by demonstrating gender equality and inclusiveness. Women officers provide a safer and more approachable option for victims to report crimes, thereby increasing trust in law enforcement and ensuring that delicate cases receive the attention and sensitivity they require. Overall, the integration of female police officers strengthens community policing efforts, contributing to social stability and justice in Timor-Leste.
Challenges Faced
Female police officers face significant challenges rooted in deep-seated gender discrimination and stereotypes. Traditionally, policing roles are viewed as masculine, and women often have to adopt “masculine” traits to be taken seriously and gain access to meaningful operational assignments. This limits the variety of tasks they are entrusted with, confining many to administrative or less visible roles. The prevailing cultural norms emphasise traditional gender roles that prioritise women’s domestic responsibilities, making it difficult for female officers to pursue demanding policing duties without encountering resistance both at work and in their communities.
Moreover, female officers in Timor-Leste frequently experience workplace harassment and receive insufficient mentoring or organisational support, undermining their professional development and well-being. Safety concerns are prominent due to the violent and challenging nature of police work, which is complicated by societal views that policewomen might not be suited for frontline duties. These barriers together create an environment where women in law enforcement struggle to assert their presence, advance their careers, and fully contribute to public safety efforts. Addressing these issues requires targeted policies that promote gender equality, provide robust support systems, and challenge restrictive cultural perceptions within both the police force and society at large.
Institutional and Societal Support
Significant progress has been made institutionally and societally to promote gender equality and women’s participation, particularly in policing and decision-making. Gender-sensitive recruitment standards are increasingly prioritised to include women in leadership roles, reflecting the broader national commitment to gender mainstreaming as outlined in strategic plans like the National Strategic Development Plan 2011–2030 and the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. Dedicated departments such as the The Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion focus on addressing women’s and children’s issues, supported by mechanisms for gender budgeting and capacity-building across ministries.
Media plays a crucial role in shaping positive perceptions and encouraging women’s participation, while international frameworks and peacekeeping guidelines reinforce the protection of women police officers and promote gender-responsive practices in conflict mediation. Despite challenges such as high gender-based violence rates and underrepresentation in senior roles, Timor-Leste leads regionally in women’s political representation, with more than a third of parliamentary seats held by women and growing numbers in ministerial and local leadership positions, embodying a holistic approach to gender equality in security and governance sectors.
Conclusion
The increasing participation of women in the National Police of Timor-Leste represents a transformative shift towards a more inclusive, effective, and gender-responsive law enforcement institution. Female officers bring unique strengths through their communication skills, empathy, and ability to handle sensitive cases, which significantly contribute to community trust and social cohesion in a post-conflict society. Their growing involvement in operational duties, leadership roles, and regional cooperation initiatives, such as Timor-Leste’s upcoming ASEAN membership, underscores the critical function women serve not only in enhancing public safety but also in promoting human rights and social inclusion within the broader framework of national development and security.
Despite notable advances, significant challenges persist, rooted in traditional gender stereotypes, cultural barriers, and workplace adversities that hinder women’s full integration and career progression in policing.
