Women during the Estado Novo and their return from Angola and Mozambique: retornadas identity process-making and the burden of Portuguese colonialism

Abstract

This thesis project explores the identity formation processes of Portuguese women retornadas—those who returned to Portugal following the collapse of the Portuguese empire in Africa. The research examines their experiences within the context of the Estado Novo, the authoritarian regime in power from 1933 to 1974, which strictly prescribed traditional gender roles, emphasizing marriage and motherhood as primary goals for women. The study also considers the intersection of Portuguese colonialism, highlighting the migration of women—whether as wives, daughters, or independently—to Angola and Mozambique. Despite the colonial subjugation inherent in these contexts, many Portuguese women experienced forms of empowerment. However, upon their return to Portugal after decolonization, retornadas faced significant challenges in reintegrating into Portuguese society. They were often stigmatized as second-class citizens and blamed for Portugal's colonial history. The thesis thus focuses on the complex gendered dimensions of identity, comparing the distinct experiences and social roles of Portuguese women both in colonial Africa and postcolonial Portugal.