On March 13th 2023, the National Parliament approved November 3rd as National Women’s Day. National Women’s Day is one of the commemorative days celebrated on November 3rd to mark the death in 1975 of the Timorese heroine and fighter, Maria Tapo, who fought and sacrificed her life for the self-determination and independence of the country.
Tapo represents all Timorese women who dedicated and sacrificed themselves among many heroes during Timor-Leste’s 24-year resistance.
The purpose of creating this national day is to strengthen the recognition of the role of women in society. This date celebrates women as a partner with equal rights, at the constitutional level, but also under the cultural perspective, of inclusion and social value of women in Timorese society.