Portugal
In Portugal, the concepts of social inclusion are regulated in Law DL no. 31/2014 of February 27th, which sets out the nature, mission and duties of the High Commission for Migrations. Its provisions include specific regulations concerning the migrant population, specifically in article 3, paragraphs j), o), and p), where there is a clear need for the inclusion of immigrants, namely through job creation, housing, economic empowerment, equal opportunities, school inclusion, and education, among others. Similarly, the Resolution of the Council of Ministers Nº. 141/2019, approved the National Plan for the Implementation of the Global Compact for Migration, which refers the need to design a national response on migration issues in concert with international partners. Among the various objectives, it foresees "the promotion of the reception and integration of immigrants, ensuring that they are in a regular situation, promoting family reunification, favoring the mastery of the Portuguese language, the schooling of children and youth and the education and vocational training of adults, improving the conditions of access to housing, health and social protection, and stimulating their integration and civic participation" (p. 46). The present Plan presents as implementation, measures based on 23 concrete objectives where, as an example, the creation of a Reception Guide for Immigrants (objective 3) is foreseen. Still as an example, objective 4 presents as a concrete measure, simplifying the processes of granting visas and residence permits. These are aspects that constitute the obstacles identified by immigrant women in Portugal, to which are added difficulties with the recognition of academic qualifications, professional skills and precariousness in the labor market. Through the legal premises of the Plan, it is possible to identify an integration/inclusion strategy. However, in the women's speeches it was possible to perceive an asymmetry between the legislative protection and its practice.
The reference literature and the legislation seem to defend an intercultural model, fostering the valorization of cultural diversity. However, the women's voices highlighted experiences that seem to translate the multicultural and assimilationist model. The multicultural model is clear in the cases of women who manage to keep some aspects of their culture of origin. The assimilationist model is reflected in the language-based discriminatory behaviors, in particular, experienced by Brazilian women. It should be noted that these women value Portuguese culture, mentioning that it is very present in their lives, but it is clear that they also value the reconciliation of different points of view on the experience of multiculturality.
To end this chapter, we make available to the students the following success story of a migrant woman in Portugal entitled "Brazilian Portuguese as a Statement", available at https://viw.pixel-online.org/case_view.php?id=OQ==. This success story reveals that for this woman, understanding the social mechanisms that generate inequality and multiple discrimination, translates into daily activism that identifies, points out discrimination situations and intervenes socially in the fight against stereotypes and prejudices.
References
Guia de Acolhimento [Welcome Guide]
https://www.acm.gov.pt/documents/10181/377055/01WelcomeGuide.pdf/51f11151-6e55-485c-910b-92207e19e143
This welcome guide for migrants is intended to be a welcome message from the Government of the Portuguese Republic.
Mulheres imigrantes em Portugal: uma análise de género [Immigrant women in Portugal: A gender analysis]
https://repositorio-aberto.up.pt/bitstream/10216/104430/2/194221.pdf
This article seeks to discuss theoretically the importance of analyzing migrations from a gender perspective, having as a reference one of the most striking features of the current era of migration, feminization.