On November 12, Universidade Lusófona – Porto University Center hosted the final conference of project FEM-ABLE - Promoting Women’s Participation in the Political Domain.
The event marked the conclusion of two years of research and collaboration among seven European countries, all committed to promoting gender equality in politics and increasing women’s representation in political decision-making positions.
The opening ceremony was led by Professor José Paulo Oliveira, a faculty member and the international coordinator of the project, who welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of initiatives like FEM-ABLE in the European context.
During the morning session, the association La Xixa Teatre presented the research findings from the project, highlighting the structural and cultural barriers that hinder women’s political participation in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, and Sweden. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Diana Loureiro, a project research fellow, featuring testimonies from Andreaki Antigone, a Greek politician and journalist, and Ana Vitorino, founder of HeForShe Setúbal and political advisor for the Socialist Party.
The afternoon session, moderated by Professor Carla Cerqueira, focused on public policies for gender equality. CESIE presented innovative strategies developed within the project, while Manuel Albano, Vice President of the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG), provided an overview of national and European policies, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities for implementing concrete measures.
A screening of the documentary “50|50” (2022) by director Mafalda Rebelo followed, offering an artistic and documentary perspective on gender issues in politics. A discussion with the filmmaker deepened the exploration of these themes.
The closing session was delivered by Professor Sónia Lamy from Universidade Lusófona – Centro Universitário Lisboa, who highlighted the achievements of the FEM-ABLE project and the ongoing need to work toward greater female representation in politics.
FEM-ABLE brought together European partners to develop strategies and tools aimed at promoting gender equality in politics, evaluating the impact of policies, and sharing best practices. Co-funded by the European Union, this project underscores Europe’s commitment to gender equality and inclusion, contributing to a more representative and equitable society.
