ABSTRACT
This chapter contributes to overcoming knowledge gap within national borders but also defends that the experience of migrant women in Portugal might bring relevant contributions to international discussions on women and citizenship. It explores Cape-Verdean origin women's narratives about participation and inclusion, membership and belonging. Understanding contemporary patterns of integration requires considering the historical backdrop this is especially true in the case of post-colonial societies. While within the empire's ideology, they were recognized as nationals of the Portuguese state, they were nevertheless denied access to the political and cultural community. The concept of citizenship is most often related to nationality and does not emerge in discourses as an autonomous concept. In emotional terms, a betrayal to "blood loyalties" is felt, but nationality acquires a double dimension within a migratory context. The analyses of the cases of women with a civic and political engagement tend to dismiss identity in favor of social class as a major conditioner of collective action.
