The Domestic Labour Market

Page | 39 implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG, which will soon replace the MDGs. Goal 1: Eradicate Poverty and Hunger The 2007 Timor-Leste Survey of Living Standards TLSLS indicated that 49.9 of Timorese people lived under the national poverty line of 0.88 per day. Child malnutrition has fallen significantly over the past 7 years, from 49.9 in 2007 to 37.7 in 2013. However, and despite significant improvements, the prevalence of underweight children remains above the MDG target of 31 and very high on a global level. The Government is strongly committed to reducing this rate further through increasing agricultural production and endorsing programs such as Me e da Es ola , the Natio al Pla fo Hu ge F ee Timor-Leste, Zero Hunger Challe ge a d the Ju tos o t a a Fo e i itiati e. Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education Since independence, the net ratio for primary school enrolment in Timor-Leste has increased from 65.1 to 89.6 in 2014 – a 38 increase. However, and despite these efforts, Timor-Leste has not met the target of 100 net primary enrolment. Education assumes a e t al ole i the Go e e t’s efforts towards national development. A wide range of policies have been devised to increase school enrolment and improve the quality of education, either by improving the curriculum or by making school enrolment a condition for social programs like Bolsa da Mãe. Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women Timor- Leste has a hie ed all ta gets u de Goal P o ote Ge de E ualit a d E po e Wo e . It has surpassed the targets set for ratios of girls to boys in primary, pre-secondary and secondary school, setting an example for gender equity in education, an achievement few other developing countries can claim. The Government is putting in place important measures to encourage the role of women in the private sector, and subject to meeting certain standards, businesses operated by women are given preferential treatment in Government procurement. Between 2010 and 2014, 1,600 businesses run by women have been registered with the Institute for Business Support IADE and received training and assistance on planning, preparing credit proposals and improved market linkages. The Government is committed to further reforms in institutions, politics, policy making and education to improve gender equality. Key activities include: running an advocacy campaign to increase awareness of gender responsive laws and policies and establishing a district female congress.