ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the most significant social, legal and institutional aspects of gender equality in Portugal, bearing in mind the relatively recent introduction of measures concerning mainstreaming. In Portugal, four sovereign bodies form the core of the government. They are the President, the Assembly, the government and the courts. However the Portuguese system of checks and balances means that those wishing to influence the law and policy-making process have to gain access to a variety of bodies if they are to be successful. Even the strategy of mainstreaming would seem likely to make little impact as it requires each of the bodies involved in law and policy-making in Portugal to be committed to advancing equal opportunities. The Economic and Social Council (ESC) is the body responsible for consultation and co-ordination in the sphere of economic and social policies; the Council participates in the preparation of plans for economic and social development.
