The Regional Director for Education stated in Horta that schools, as "privileged means of socialisation," have the mission to promote "equal opportunities" and raising awareness for "the values of pluralism and gender equality."
 
José Freire spoke at the opening session of the Youth Parliament at the Legislative Assembly. He stressed that gender equality "means equality of rights and freedom but also equality of opportunities for participation, recognition and appreciation of women and men in all domains of society."
 
The Regional Director stressed that, although the Portuguese Constitution guarantees that no one can be deprived of any right or exempt from any duty based on gender, there is still "a long way to go" towards gender equality.
 
In this context, the government official highlighted the work and efforts undertaken throughout the year by the young members of parliament in the "search for measures," now under discussion at the plenary session of the Youth Parliament. They are an essential part of education" in what concerns the respect for the rights and individual freedom towards "an active citizenship."
 
The Youth Parliament is an initiative of the National Assembly to which the Government of the Azores has jointed since the very beginning, through the Regional Directorate for Education. It has become of one the activities that "contributes the most to instil the spirit of Democracy in young people while raising their full awareness for their rights and duties as future citizens," stated José Freire.