When I bought The Portugal News in 2020, there were 10 staff, with a split of 8 women and 2 men, so it was predominantly a female workforce. In 2026, we have grown to 40 staff, and whilst the ratio has fallen, the workforce is still predominantly female with a split of roughly 2/3 female to 1/3 male.

The Portugal News does not really “see” gender in relation to the workplace or work tasks, although it is interesting to “see” our IT Department is all male, our Accounts all female and our delivery drivers are all male.

Managing the workforce, I do not distinguish by gender. Everyone, irrespective of sex, is managed the same with the same opportunities available to all to grow in the company based on talent and experience. Equality between the sexes without bias comes naturally, and I believe this leads to a happy workforce.

The Portugal News has a staff policy of giving a half-day off for good. This means if any staff member, irrespective of gender, wants to volunteer for a charitable venture, then the company will pay for their half-day off. Interestingly, it is mostly the females who avail themselves of this opportunity.

In addition, The Portugal News gives discretionary Friday afternoons off, so as long as the work is done, the staff can leave early. Most staff take advantage of this initiative, but there is a small hardcore of female staff who rarely do!

Generally, it is said, feminine energy is more creative, intuitive and nurturing, whilst masculine energy is more doing, direct and action-oriented. All people have both, and balance should be the goal, irrespective of sex.

The creative side clearly comes through in our journalists, with our Editorial policy of positive news, and in our Production department´s creative design. I would also say the nurturing feminine side comes through in sales, determining customer needs and then producing marketing plans to meet them.

So, whilst The Portugal News certainly has gender equality in the workplace, some might even say a female bias, the policy of not “seeing” gender clearly works and will continue.