Women’s Day Portugal
Women’s Right to Vote in Portugal
May 5, (1931)

Number of female heads of state to date: 1

The women’s right to vote in Portugal has a history that spans several decades, with significant milestones achieved in the 20th century.

Portugal granted women the right to vote relatively late compared to some other European countries. The suffrage movement gained momentum in the early 20th century as women began advocating for equal political rights.

In 1931, during the Estado Novo regime under António de Oliveira Salazar, the electoral law was amended to grant limited voting rights to women in municipal elections. This marked the first time that women in Portugal were able to exercise their right to vote.

However, it wasn’t until after the fall of the Estado Novo regime in 1974, during the Carnation Revolution, that significant progress was made in terms of women’s suffrage. In the aftermath of the revolution, a new constitution was drafted, which was approved in 1976. This constitution granted universal suffrage to all Portuguese citizens, regardless of gender, thereby granting women the full right to vote and stand for election on equal terms with men.

With the right to vote, Portuguese women actively participated in elections and engaged in political activities. They contributed to shaping the political landscape and advocating for their rights and interests.

Efforts have been made in Portugal to promote gender equality and increase women’s political representation. Policies and initiatives have been implemented to address gender disparities, encourage women’s participation in politics, and support their leadership development.

Quotas have been introduced to promote greater gender balance in politics. Political parties are encouraged to include a certain percentage of women on their candidate lists, aiming to increase women’s representation in elected positions.

Today, women in Portugal actively participate in politics at various levels, including the national parliament, local councils, and European institutions. Portugal has had female government ministers and members of parliament, highlighting women’s leadership and political contributions.

While progress has been made, challenges remain in achieving full gender equality in politics. Women’s representation in some areas, particularly at the highest levels of political leadership, is still relatively low. Ongoing efforts are necessary to address barriers, promote women’s political participation, and create an inclusive political environment.

The women’s right to vote in Portugal represents a significant achievement in the country’s democratic development and reflects the recognition of women as equal citizens. It underscores the importance of women’s active participation in the political process and the ongoing work toward achieving gender equality in Portuguese politics and society as a whole.


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