National Women’s Day is observed in East Timor on November 3, commemorating the contributions of women to society and honoring those who fought for the country’s independence. The day specifically marks the death anniversary of Maria Tapó, an independence fighter, who died in 1975 while defending her village against Indonesian soldiers. The proposal to celebrate her sacrifice was first made in 1976 and was officially established as a public holiday in 2005. Since 2023, it has been recognized as a public holiday, allowing employees to take the day off. The day aims to highlight the role of women in society, celebrate their accomplishments, and address significant issues they face, such as gender-based violence and a substantial gender pay gap. The women's organization OPMT (Organização Popular de Mulheres Timorense) played a key role in supporting the establishment of this holiday.