The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation hosted the event Equality in Action: The Impact of the EEA Grants Programme on Work-Life Balance and Gender Equality on People's Lives on December 5 and 6. The event provided a platform for reflecting on the significance of the projects implemented under this programme.
In the opening session, Hanne Brusletto, Norway's Ambassador to Portugal, congratulated the programme's promoters on their achievements, highlighting its impact on Portuguese society. Meanwhile, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, Minister of Youth and Modernization, emphasised that the EEA Grants programme has been an essential complement to national investments in promoting equality and combating violence against women. She underlined that the funded programmes have created more enduring impacts on gender equality and had a transformative potential in the lives of many girls and women, fostering their autonomy and promoting greater equality of opportunities.
The first panel, moderated by Sofia Branco, a journalist with Agência Lusa, focused on projects promoting gender equality at the local level.
- Paulo Simões, from the Oeste Intermunicipal Community, presented the Oeste + Igual project.
- Cristina Amaro da Costa, a researcher at the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, and Alice Marques, a project participant, introduced MAIS – Women Farmers in Interior Territories.
- Ana Paixão, President of Questão de Igualdade – Association for Social Innovation, showcased the Autarchies Network for Equality.
Tackling Gender Segregation in the Workplace and Employment
The next panel, moderated by Sandra Ribeiro, President of the CIG (Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality), explored gender segregation in work and employment:
- Carla Tavares and Caio Monteiro, from CITE, presented Igual Pro – Professions Have No Gender.
- Bruno Freitas discussed research that advanced knowledge about workers in the clothing and tanning industries.
- Inês Gomes, from UMAR, introduced Free Choices – Stereotypes Don't Define My Gender.
- Filipa Montalvão, representing CIP, presented the Promova project.
Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence: Educating for Prevention
The afternoon began with a panel moderated by Marta Silva from the Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Unit.
- Catarina Alves and Rogério Cândido presented NO!, a project by the Benfica Parish Council aimed at primary prevention and supporting children and youth affected by domestic violence.
- Ana Luísa Abreu, from Associação Plano I, introduced MaRvel: (Re)vealed Masculinities, which challenges stereotypes tied to hegemonic masculinity.
- Pedro Gonçalves and Maria Gonçalves presented Affections Workshop: Educating in Equality, a project promoting relational skills and a culture of affection.
Active Citizens Programme: Projects on Gender Equality/Domestic Violence
Moderated by Pedro Calado, the presentation of projects from the Citizens Active Programme followed:
- Teresa Silva and Clara Pelote, from the Youth Network for Equality, presented Faz Delete, focusing on preventing image-based sexual violence.
- Ana Sofia Fernandes and Maria Sepúlveda, from PpDM, discussed EXIT, aimed at understanding the prostitution system and providing exit services.
Key Recommendations for Public Policy Development
The final panel presented recommendations derived from white papers developed under the programme:
- Paulo Corte-Real spoke about the Multiversity – White Paper on Multiple and Intersectional Discrimination by NOVA School of Law.
- Paulo Pedroso introduced the White Paper on Dignified Domestic Service.
- Liliana Rodrigues presented findings from the HomeWork project on gender inequalities in telework.
- Heloísa Pereira and Maria de Céu Cunha Rêgo shared insights on the value of unpaid work.
Bilateral Cooperation Between Portugal and Donor States
The second day focused on bilateral cooperation, featuring interventions by Gudrun Gudmundsdottir (Financial Mechanism Office), Taran Knudstad (Norwegian Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud), and the CIG President.
Initiatives in Domestic and Gender-Based Violence
Presentations included:
- António Castanho, a clinical psychologist, analyzing domestic violence-related homicides.
- Judge Fernando Andrade, discussing judicial work on gender and domestic violence prevention.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
The panel on sexual harassment featured:
- Thea Gabrielsen, introducing a Norwegian survey adapted to Portugal.
- Joana Marteleira and Catarina Lopes, who shared the Portuguese version.
Loa Birgisdóttir presented Icelandic best practices on work-time organization, while Rui Godinho and Maria Mineiro discussed the programme's future.
Deputy Secretary of State for Equality, Carla Mouro, concluded the event, emphasizing that the programme not only met its goals but transformed realities and fostered equality. She expressed hope for this seminar to be a springboard for future initiatives and commitments.
The event featured artistic moments by the musical groups CRUA and Fio à Meada, and rapper Capicua, who performed her poetry.
Watch the seminar replay here and browse the photo gallery here.