The official bulletin of the Council, published in November 1914, stated that it aimed "to bring together, in a large association, all the associations and female groups that are spread throughout the country", putting an end to "alienation from the international feminist world". Its main objectives were the improvement of the legal situation of women in the family and in the State; the right to votes for women; the end of trafficking and exploitation of women; the improvement of public health; the defence of the rights of pregnant women and women who had recently given birth; and the protection of disadvantaged and abused women and children. Despite the Council’s apolitical approach, the fact that several prominent members of the Republican League of Portuguese Women, which advocated the overthrow of the monarchy, were part of the CNMP prevented the participation of more conservative, and, in general, more affluent women. As a consequence, the organization was short of funds and its headquarters, for most of its existence, were in the doctor’s office of Adelaide Cabete and her sister, Maria Brazão in Lisbon. However, in 1914 and 1915, there were fifteen affiliated associations.