Portuguese studies highlight gender disparities and domestic violence as Atlantic migration drops

A new study by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation revealed that women accounted for only 15 percent of Portuguese cabinet ministers over the past 50 years, often requiring higher technical qualifications than men to secure executive positions. Concurrently, domestic violence remains a critical issue across Portugal, where law enforcement registered more than 14,000 complaints, representing an average of 82 reported cases per day.

In integration developments, eight Afghan female students completed their first year of refuge in Portugal after fleeing Taliban restrictions on speech and university education.

Separately, International Organization for Migration figures showed a 78 percent reduction in irregular arrivals to Spain along the West African Atlantic route during the first four months of 2026. Experts attribute the drop to strengthened maritime patrols and border agreements between Senegal and Mauritania.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal).