Portugal launched its first National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security in 2009 for the period 2009-2013. The second NAP was launched in 2014 for the period of 2014-2018 and was developed on the basis of recommendations from an independent external evaluation of the first NAP and from recommendations from a public consultation held on the evaluation of the first NAP. Portugal is now in its third (III) National Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 (2000), for the period 2019-2022.
Portugal does not have a recent history of conflict, but plays a role in international peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. An analysis of Portuguese participation in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions demonstrates the importance that Portugal has assigned to the role of women in the areas of security and defense, as well as the vital role that women have played in the resolution of sensitive issues, such as support for victims of violence and discrimination based on gender contributing to a better protection of women, girls and girls in conflict and post-conflict situations.
From a recent academic analysis on the first NAP: Portugal’s NAP cites the efforts of Portuguese peacekeeping missions, national campaigns and initiatives already in place to further gender equality at a national and international level. It mentions a preoccupation in increasing the participation of women in peacekeeping missions both on the ground and at decision-making levels, and reiterates its commitment to working with both European and international organizations in peacekeeping and conflict resolution situations paying special attention to gender vulnerability in particular and women’s human rights in general. (Miller, Pournik, & Swaine, 2014).