The unprecedented scale of refugee flows since the Syrian conflict in 2011 has demanded a rethinking of political, social, and educational responses to forced migration in Europe. This research focuses specifically on refugee single women traveling alone or with children, who represent an especially vulnerable population facing heightened risks of trafficking, violence, and discrimination (Bellizzi & Molek, 2022). Drawing on theories of intersectionality, sexual and intimate citizenship (Weeks, 2010; Plummer, 2005; Giddens, 1992), and feminist perspectives on forced migration (Welfens, 2020), this study examines Portugal's complex position as a 'transit country' rather than a settlement destination. Despite taking an open approach to encourage refugee and asylum seeker arrivals, the country faces challenges in filling its quotas. These theoretical approaches prove valuable in understanding both the diversity among migrants and their journey experiences, while supporting a social justice perspective toward gender affective equality (Lynch et al., 2009). The study addresses three core questions: What does it mean to be a refugee single woman in contemporary Europe? How do international, European, and national systems respond to their needs, particularly in education? What conditions are being developed both to support refugee women and to prepare Portuguese society for meaningful integration? Special attention is given to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as a gendered harm occurring across time and migratory spaces (Bellizzi & Molek, 2022; Ozcurumez et al., 2021), further exacerbated by precarious legal status and limited access to services (Ghosn et al., 2021). The research methodology combines biographical narratives of refugee women with in-depth interviews with professionals from reception centers, settlement services, and NGOs. This multi-perspective approach captures both lived experiences and institutional responses, while examining policy implementation and community support strategies. The study contributes to academic discourse on gender and sexual studies at a critical moment when political actors frame 'gender ideology' as a threat to democratic stability. By highlighting the experiences of single refugee women and analyzing institutional responses to their specific needs, this research advances understanding of how educational and social systems can better promote equality, inclusion, and diversity (Richardson & Munro, 2013) in refugee integration contexts

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