Customary gender roles in Timor-Leste have a profound effect on the respective life
opportunities of young Timorese women and men, but since independence, there have been
challenges to traditional gender roles. This article investigates how young Timorese women,
due to their gender and age, face significant limits to their social and political participation
and how young women in rural areas continue to be amongst the least heard members of the
community. Drawing on interviews with Timorese women and youth, the article analyses
the opportunities and limitations for young women to further their education and engage
constructively in the development of their communities.