ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to examine the past 20 years of the Portuguese society. The chapter is particularly focused on three social groups: women, immigrants and racialized people. For different reasons, these groups continue to face discrimination despite the progress made and the multiple initiatives promoted by different institutions and entities. The analysis will be conducted from three perspectives: the legal framework, observed facts and societal perceptions. In other words, what the Portuguese law dictates regarding the functioning of institutions; the actual behaviour of institutions and people; and lastly, public perceptions on the matter. Finally, we will look at some common factors that underlie the processes of exclusion and discrimination against such groups.
