Harmonia: Communities Ending Gender-Based Violence
With an aim to end gender-based violence, HAI is leading a collaborative project to shift cultural norms at the community level and introduce gender-sensitive health services in Timor-Leste’s public clinics.

In Timor-Leste, gender inequality and discrimination, patriarchal traditions, and a recent history of armed conflict are strong drivers of widespread violence against women. In Liquiçá Municipality, half of married or previously married women have experienced emotional, physical and/or sexual violence by a spouse. In neighboring Ermera Municipality, that number is closer to 3 out of 5, about twice the global average
In response, USAID identified Health Alliance International to lead the implementation of Harmonia Activity, a multi-sector collaborative project that aims to reduce gender-based violence (GBV) in Ermera and Liquiçá municipalities by engaging communities and health providers in a coordinated effort to shift social norms of GBV and foster conflict resolution. The core strategies of Harmonia—community microplanning and Learning Lab-based training for government health providers—target 30 high impact sucos (villages) and doctors, midwives, and nurses working in community health centers and health posts across both municipalities.
HAI will work closely with Timorese public institutions (Ministry of Health, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion), the United Nations Population Fund, community and religious leaders, and local organizations that specialize in legal, economic, psychosocial, and education services for women, youth, and families.
HAI-LIGHTS
In December 2020, HAI completed a Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Analysis to gather information that will inform the activities of Harmonia over the next several years.
Click the image to read the full report!
Want to dig a little deeper?
Publications
Harmonia – Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Analysis Report | HAI Report, 2020 |
Harmonia Activity – Informational Flyer | HAI Media, 2021 |
News/Media
Funding
[2020-2023] Harmonia: Communities Ending Gender-based Violence.
This project receives funding support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) via the People-to-People Reconciliation fund.
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