Mel team celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution of April 25th 1974 which overthrew the longest dictatorship in Europe and implanted democracy, ended the Portuguese colonial war in Africa, established free elections, freedom of expression, gender equality and social security rights.
The revolution brought unimaginable advances to society. Child mortality was at a staggering 55,5‰ in 1970 decreasing to 24,3‰ in 1980 to 2,4‰ in 2021. One in four people were illiterate in 1970 (31% for women). The number declined to 18,6% (23% for women) in 1980 and to 3,1% (4% for women) in 2021 (source: INE/PORDATA). Public health and education systems were created, two essential pillars for a fairer and more equal society.
Despite the many advances, successive governments keep failing to the poor and most vulnerable people. Portugal has one of the lowest minimum wages in Europe and one of the highest rates of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion. As for science, the government spent 1,7% of GDP in research and development last year, still far below EU’s 3% target (source: Eurostat).
So, as we evoke half a century of democracy and freedom, many of the same problems on social injustice, racism and inequality remain to be tackled. The way we debate these issues and confront them will define the next 50 years of democracy.
Photo credit: Alfredo Cunha
