Mátria: Women, Resistance, and the Fight for Timor-Leste’s Independence

On a sunlit afternoon at the Resistance Museum in Timor-Leste, a quiet but powerful reunion took place. Several remarkable women, veterans of the Timorese resistance, began to trickle into the exhibition hall. As they entered, their eyes were drawn to the canvases on the walls. There, captured in striking portraits, were their own faces, reminders of the courage they displayed decades ago. They smiled, not just with pride but with the knowledge that their stories, struggles and contribution to the making of a nation, was finally on the walls.  

These women were not celebrities, nor were they widely known, but their bravery and dedication are undeniable. They were freedom fighters, the heartbeat of Timor-Leste’s struggle for self-determination. Their gathering was for a special occasion, to witness the women in resistance exhibition, titled “Mátria”, organized by UN Women. 

This exhibition, set against the backdrop of Timor-Leste’s long and arduous journey to freedom, was a tribute to the women who fought alongside men, often unnoticed and unsung but always essential. Their stories, hidden in the shadows of history, were now illuminated. One of those voices belongs to Ilda da Conceição, known during the resistance by her nom de guerre: Lalo Imin—which translates to “independence or death, integration never.” 

Her portrait shows her in a moment of fierce tenderness—cradling her newborn child in one arm, while holding a weapon in the other as she fled through the jungle. Her life was a delicate balance of motherhood and militancy, a testament to the dual burdens these women often carried.

Another important figure honored in the exhibition is Maria Domingas Fernandes Alves, or "Micato," who championed the cause of women’s political representation and was instrumental in organizing the first Timor-Leste Women’s Congress during the occupation, who later became the Minister of Social Solidarity.

Women like Micato remind us that the fight for freedom was not just on the battlefield, but in diplomatic discussions, in whispers of clandestine meetings, and in the tireless advocacy for women's rights. Their bravery has not only shaped the course of Timorese history but has also left an indelible mark on the global fight for equality.  

The “Mátria” exhibition marks the first step in bringing these untold stories to light. It is part of a broader effort that includes a gender-responsive analysis of the Veterans Fund, a coffee table book and a film to capture more of women's contributions, and ongoing support to promote women’s leadership across sectors and in every aspect of conflict prevention and resolution through its second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).  

Recognizing the profound contribution of Timorese women in peacebuilding and sustainable development across generations in their history, Timor-Leste was the third country in South-East Asia to develop a WPS National Action Plan (2016-2020). 

Since 2014, the Government of Timor-Leste and participating civil society organizations (CSOs), in partnership with UN Women, developed and implemented the first NAP 1325, to enhance equal, inclusive and meaningful participation and leadership of Timorese women in decision-making and protection from violence, and to strengthen gender-responsive conflict resolution and peacebuilding practices. 

The second National Action Plan, spanning five years, was launched earlier this year and serves as a holistic national strategy to ensure that gender equality and women’s leadership is integral to every aspect of conflict prevention and resolution, peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery, and humanitarian response in Timor-Leste. 

The “Mátria” exhibition aims to ensure a comprehensive account of the vital roles that women have played in Timor-Leste's development and the promotion of women's rights from 1974 to 2024, while bridging gaps in recognition and representation.

“We’ve undertaken this project to retell history in a more inclusive way, to give voice to stories that have yet to be heard”, said Nishtha Satyam, UN Women Representative in Timor-Leste. “When we tell the story of who won the fight for freedom, if we exclude women, we not only erase them from the past but also from the future.”

Far too often, the contributions of women are not just forgotten—they are never even told. Their stories, their sacrifices, and their resilience are brushed aside, as if their courage existed in the shadows, unnoticed, while the spotlight shone elsewhere.  

These women - fighters, diplomats, and activists - deserve recognition as their legacy is etched not just in the history of Timor-Leste, but in the hearts of those who understand that freedom is never a gift—it is won, often through the quiet strength of those who endure in the shadows. 

To learn more about the work of the United Nations in Timor Lest visit timorleste.un.org  

Read the Secretary-General’s latest annual report on women, peace, and security here.