The Alola Foundation

The Alola Foundation is a not-for-profit non-government organisation seeking to nurture women leaders and advocate for the rights of women. The Alola Foundation was originally created to raise awareness of widespread sexual violence against women and girls in Timor-Leste during the militia attacks of September 1999. Though sexual violence is still a key issue for the Foundation, today Alola’s work is organised under four pillars, covering maternal and child health; education and literacy; advocacy; and economic development.

The Alola Foundation AND IWDA

IWDA began a partnership with Alola in July 2014. In the second half of 2017, Alola will play in a lead role for in-country research will focus on perceptions of women in leadership.

Quick Facts

  • Kirsty Sword Gusmao, then First Lady of Timor-Leste, formed the Alola Foundation in 2001
  • Alola is the lead of the Human Trafficking Law Working Group. In early 2017, the President of Timor-Leste promulgated the country’s first ever law against Human Trafficking – now the working group will focus on ensuring resourcing to implement the law and building awareness of its content.
  • Alola supported women candidates in the 2016 Village elections. Of the candidates Alola supported, 12% were elected as Village Chiefs – a significantly higher proportion than the overall rate of candidates elected