Gender equality news in Portugal

Assunção Cristas advocates for equal parental leave for fathers and mothers

Web Summit: more than half of women in technology say they do not receive a fair salary and suffer from sexism

The gender pay gap, the difficulty of balancing family and career, and sexism are some of the complaints emerging from the Gender in Technology report. The good news is that there are more women in leadership roles.

Motherhood cannot be the end of a sporting career

Equal opportunities in sport require that no athlete should have to choose between being a mother and continuing to compete.

Equality: the secret to better leadership

From equal opportunities to female leadership, gender balance allows for diverse perspectives and better decisions. The result is more representative organisations.

From gender engineering to the abandonment of women

In Portugal, the preference is to clog up the National Health Service with antidepressant subsidies and shoulder multi-million euro costs for repeated medical leave rather than create an integrated public policy to support menopause.

Dear sirs, could you pass me the microphone, please? I have a few questions

How is it that in 2026 Portugal, a major conference to reflect on national tourism is organised without a single woman among 35 people, both among those inviting and those invited? Opinion by Filipa Lowndes Vicente

Dear sirs, could you pass me the microphone, please? I have some questions

How is it possible that, in 2026 Portugal, a major conference to reflect on national tourism is organised without a single woman among 35 people, counting both those who invite and those who are invited?

Gender equality may take 70 years to be achieved: access to positions of power is the biggest obstacle in Portugal

A report indicates that reaching gender parity in Portugal could take seven decades, with the primary barrier being the underrepresentation of women in leadership and decision-making roles.

Without gender equality, there is no democracy

The United Nations' 'The Gender Snapshot 2026' report highlights a concerning regression in gender equality, noting that at the current pace, the Sustainable Development Goal 5 targets will not be met for another 171 years. The report details significant budget cuts to gender equality institutions and women's rights organisations, alongside persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership and research. The text argues that the rise of anti-feminist political movements poses a direct threat to democratic values, citing examples of policy rollbacks in the United States under the Trump administration as evidence of the fragility of women's rights.

Are we killing the dreams of young female founders?

There is no lack of talent or ambition; what is missing is opening the door.

At home, the one who earns less

Who quits their job when school closes in the middle of the day?

The cost of being a mother

If there is a moment when the inequality between men and women becomes evident, it is the birth of children. A column by Tânia Graça.

Portugal has had only 15% female ministers in five decades

An analysis of ministerial appointments in Portugal over the last fifty years reveals that women have accounted for only 15% of the total positions held.

O Mirante14 Sept

Women are a minority in governments and reach power with higher technical requirements

Portugal has had only 15% female ministers over the last five decades, and women still “depend disproportionately on technical credentials to access power,” reveals a study released this Monday. The same study concludes that there are more specialized ministers, but parties maintain control of governments. One in five ministers has no relevant experience for the...

Women are a minority in governments and reach power with higher technical requirements

Portugal has had only 15% female ministers over the last five decades and women still “depend disproportionately on technical credentials to access power,” reveals a study released this Monday.

Study reveals that women are a minority in governments and reach power with higher technical requirements

Analysis reveals that until 1985 there was “an almost total absence of women”, with the first appointment occurring with Leonor Beleza in the 10th Government led by Cavaco Silva.

From women's right to equal pay to the fight against violence: UMAR turns 50. "We can even say we won the bet"

Anália Torres looks at the battles and how much has changed. There are also “losers”. “They lost and are wanting to return.”

Female genital mutilation: Working group created

The Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality has created a working group that aims to prevent and combat harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage.

Battle of the sexes: What are the pauliteiros afraid of when they see the pauliteiras dancing?

On Expresso da Manhã, Paulo Baldaia speaks with journalist Margarida Nogueira, who wrote in the Expresso magazine about the struggle of women who want to see themselves as pauliteiras and encounter various forms of resistance, but also support from where it was least expected.

Bar Association President warns of signs of regression in women's rights

The President of the Bar Association stated that there are worrying signs of regression in women's rights and that it is essential to show young people that certain behaviours are unacceptable. During the conference on 'Gender Equality and the Istanbul Convention', promoted by the Human Rights Commission of the Bar Association in Lisbon, ...

Wire wants more women leading the real estate business

Equality. The Women in Real Estate association aims to create opportunities for more women to hold top positions.

No women at the top of Portugal’s tourism associations

Minister Balseiro Lopes declares herself a feminist during debate on conservative women

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports identified as a feminist when asked about the 'Conservative Women of Portugal' movement, stating that 'more active feminists are still needed' as long as women earn less than men. The minister spoke at the PSD Summer University, where she and MEP Lídia Pereira addressed the emergence of the new movement, with Balseiro Lopes emphasizing that gender inequality remains a pressing issue. Lídia Pereira argued that conservatism and women's rights are not inherently incompatible, while the minister highlighted government policies for youth, including tax exemptions for first-time homebuyers and the expansion of the psychologist voucher scheme.

Portugal 2030 grants nearly €6 million to strengthen female leadership

The Portugal 2030 programme has allocated approximately €6 million in funding aimed at promoting and reinforcing the role of women in leadership positions.

SAPO19 Aug

Gender inequality in nursing

It has persisted for too long: a glaring inequality between professionals who perform exactly the same duties, in the same departments, under the same requirements.

The economy needs more women

For decades, the gender debate was often reduced to equality between men and women. However, European gender mainstreaming policies have introduced a broader perspective: it is not enough to treat everyone equally; we must recognise differences and integrate the specific needs of both genders into public and private decision-making. Historically, many scientific, technological, and organisational models were built from a predominantly male perspective, leading to biases in areas such as clinical research and product design. Recognising these differences is not about creating divisions, but about correcting historical gaps and improving decision-making quality. Business and societal resilience depend on diversity, as organisations and countries that incorporate different perspectives are better equipped to innovate and respond to crises. Gender mainstreaming should be treated with the same urgency as climate policy, integrated transversally into laws, programmes, and budgets. Ultimately, building stronger economies requires moving beyond designing the world for only half the population and ensuring gender parity in leadership to enhance democracy and human rights.

Why do men die more on the road? The Highway Code gives the wrong answer

Men have more serious accidents and die more often behind the wheel than women. This is a statistical fact. The problem is the explanation presented in the Highway Code, which associates these behaviours with male 'confidence'. A sociologist explains why this interpretation perpetuates stereotypes and ignores the role of gender socialisation.

maxima.pt30 Jul

Ageing continues to be much harder for women

Teresa Tavares speaks about freedom as a non-negotiable value, criticises submission to the algorithm, and reflects on the pressure placed on women and the power of art to transform people.