Gender equality and the promotion of women's rights[1] are central issues on the global human rights[2] and sustainable development. Cape Verde, as a signatory to several international treaties, has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality and protecting women's rights. This report aims to analyse the evolution and state[6] current Cape Verdean legislation on these issues, highlighting progress, challenges and opportunities for the future.
In recent years, Cape Verde has implemented a series of legislative reforms aimed at strengthening the position of women in the labour market. society[4] and guarantee equal opportunities. A Constitution[3] The Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde, revised in 1992, establishes the equality of all citizens before the law. law[7]without gender discrimination. The country has also ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), committing itself to adopt measures to eliminate gender discrimination in all its forms (UN Women).
Cape Verdean legislation also addresses specific issues such as gender-based violence, with the Gender-Based Violence Law, enacted in 2011, which aims to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women. This law represents a significant milestone in the protection of women's rights, providing a robust legal framework to tackle this prevalent social problem (UN Cape Verde).
Despite these advances, significant challenges remain, including the need for more effective implementation of existing laws and the promotion of a cultural change that supports gender equality. Critically analysing current legislation and public policies is essential in order to identify gaps and propose solutions that can accelerate progress towards a more equitable society.
This report aims to offer a comprehensive overview of how Cape Verdean legislation has addressed women's rights and gender equality, providing a basis for future discussions and political action.
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The evolution of women's rights in Cape Verde is intrinsically linked to the development of its legal and constitutional structures. Since the country's independence in 1975, Cape Verde has made significant progress in promoting gender equality. The 1992 Constitution was an important milestone, as it enshrined equal rights for men and women, establishing a legal framework that prohibits gender discrimination (Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde). This fundamental document ensured that women had equal access to political, economic and social opportunities.
In the years since independence, Cape Verde has implemented several specific laws to protect women's rights. The Gender-Based Violence Law, passed in 2011, is a crucial example of this legislation. This law aims to prevent and combat violence against women by establishing mechanisms to protect and assist victims (Lei VBG, Cape Verde). In addition, the Cape Verdean Penal Code has been revised to include provisions that penalise discriminatory and violent practices against women.
Women's political participation in Cape Verde has been an important area of focus. Historically, women have faced significant barriers to entering politics, but there have been notable advances in recent decades. In 2021, women represented around 24% of the members of the Cape Verdean Parliament, a significant increase on previous decades (Inter-Parliamentary Union). This progress can be attributed to policies to encourage female participation in politics and the growing awareness of the importance of gender equality in political leadership.
Education has been a fundamental pillar in the empowerment of women in Cape Verde. Access to education for girls and women has improved significantly, with female literacy rates approaching those of men. This educational progress has direct repercussions on women's economic empowerment, allowing them to participate more fully in the labour market and contribute to the country's economic development. Government policies have been implemented to promote gender equality in access to education and in the workplace, including vocational training programmes for women (UNESCO).
Despite progress, women in Cape Verde still face significant challenges. Gender-based violence remains a concern, with reports of domestic violence and discrimination in the workplace. In addition, the pay gap between men and women persists, reflecting structural inequalities that still need to be addressed. The Cape Verdean government, together with non-governmental and international organisations, is working to implement more effective policies and awareness-raising programmes to combat these issues and promote a more equal society (UN Women).
The future of women's rights in Cape Verde depends on continued efforts to implement inclusive policies and promote a more inclusive society. culture[8] gender equality. Collaboration between the government, civil society and the international community is crucial to ensuring that women's rights are respected and promoted in all aspects of Cape Verdean life.
Cape Verde has excelled in implementing a robust legal framework to promote gender equality. The 1992 Constitution, which prohibits gender discrimination, serves as the basis for several subsequent pieces of legislation aimed at guaranteeing equal rights for men and women (Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde). This legal framework is complemented by specific laws that address gender issues in different spheres of society.
The Parity Law, passed in 2019, is one of the most significant pieces of legislation regarding gender equality in Cape Verde. This law establishes that lists of candidates for elected office must have a minimum representation of 40% of each gender, thus promoting women's political participation (Parity Law). This legislation has been crucial in increasing the presence of women in decision-making positions, reflecting a commitment to political equality.
In the labour field, Cape Verde has implemented policies to ensure equal opportunities and treatment for men and women in the labour market. The country's labour legislation prohibits wage discrimination and guarantees equal rights in terms of hiring, promotion and working conditions (Cape Verde Labour Code). In addition, specific measures have been adopted to protect women against sexual harassment in the workplace, strengthening the safety and well-being of female workers.
The Cape Verdean government has actively promoted education as a means of achieving gender equality. Educational programmes are developed to guarantee equal access for girls and boys to basic and higher education. Initiatives such as scholarships and professional training programmes aim to increase the female presence in traditionally male-dominated areas such as science and technology (Cape Verde Ministry of Education).
The fight against gender-based violence is a priority on Cape Verde's legislative agenda. The 2011 Law on Gender-Based Violence establishes a set of measures to prevent and combat violence against women, including the creation of mechanisms to protect and assist victims (Lei VBG, Cape Verde). This legislation is complemented by awareness campaigns and victim support programmes aimed at eradicating gender-based violence and promoting a culture of respect and equality.
Despite significant progress, Cape Verde still faces challenges in fully implementing gender equality laws. The persistence of cultural and social norms that perpetuate gender inequality represents a significant obstacle. In addition, the need to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws and to promote greater public awareness of women's rights are areas that require continued attention. The commitment of the government and civil society to addressing these issues will be crucial to ensuring sustainable progress towards gender equality in Cape Verde.
Gender equality in Cape Verde faces significant challenges due to deep-rooted cultural and social barriers. Traditional norms often relegate women to secondary roles in society, limiting their opportunities to participate fully in various spheres, including politics and the labour market. These norms perpetuate inequality and hinder the effective implementation of gender equality policies. Studies indicate that changing these cultural norms is essential for advancing women's rights (UN Women).
Despite legislative progress, women in Cape Verde continue to face significant inequalities in the labour market. The gender pay gap is a persistent issue, with women often receiving lower salaries for equivalent jobs. In addition, occupational segregation limits women to lower-paid sectors with fewer opportunities for career progression. Data from Cape Verde's National Statistics Institute shows that the unemployment rate among women is consistently higher than among men, reflecting structural barriers that need to be addressed (INE CV).
Gender-based violence remains a critical problem in Cape Verde, with profound implications for gender equality. Reports indicate that domestic violence is prevalent and often underreported due to social stigmas and a lack of adequate support for victims. Existing legislation, although robust, faces challenges in its effective application, requiring reinforcement and greater public awareness to combat this scourge. The implementation of victim support and protection programmes is crucial to mitigating the impacts of gender-based violence (UNICEF).
Women's participation in Cape Verdean politics has increased, but still faces significant challenges. The Parity Law, which aims to guarantee balanced gender representation in decision-making bodies, is an important step, but its implementation faces cultural and political resistance. Women are still under-represented in leadership positions, which limits their influence on the formulation of policies that directly affect their lives. Promoting training and political empowerment programmes for women is essential to increasing their participation and representation (Parliament of Cape Verde).
Education is a powerful tool for promoting gender equality, and Cape Verde has made significant progress in this field. However, challenges remain, especially in rural areas where girls face additional barriers to accessing quality education. Promoting capacity-building and vocational training programmes for women is crucial to increasing their economic and social opportunities. Initiatives that encourage education in STEM areas (science, technology, engineering and maths) are particularly important for breaking down gender stereotypes and expanding career opportunities for women (Cape Verde Ministry of Education).
The effective implementation of gender equality policies in Cape Verde requires rigorous and continuous monitoring. Although there are laws and policies designed to promote equality, the lack of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms prevents them from being fully effective. It is essential that the government, in partnership with non-governmental and international organisations, develops robust monitoring systems to ensure that policies are implemented effectively and that gender equality objectives are achieved. Transparency and accountability are fundamental to the success of these initiatives (World Bank).
International collaboration plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality in Cape Verde. The support of international organisations such as UN Women and the World Bank has been vital to the development and implementation of effective policies. These organisations provide not only financial resources, but also technical expertise and platforms for sharing best practices. Continuing this collaboration is essential for overcoming persistent challenges and advancing the gender equality agenda in Cape Verde (UN Women, World Bank).
The future of gender equality in Cape Verde depends on a continued commitment from all stakeholders to tackle the challenges identified. Promoting a culture of gender equality, strengthening existing laws and implementing inclusive policies are essential steps to ensure that women have the same opportunities as men. Civil society, the government and the international community must work together to create an environment where gender equality is not just an ideal, but a reality experienced by all Cape Verdeans (UN Women).
Research into women's rights and gender equality in Cape Verdean legislation reveals significant progress since the country's independence in 1975. The 1992 Constitution was a crucial milestone, establishing equal rights for men and women and prohibiting gender discrimination (Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde). Specific laws, such as the Gender-Based Violence Act of 2011, have been implemented to protect women against violence and promote gender equality in various spheres, including politics and the labour market (Lei VBG, Cape Verde). The 2019 Parity Law also stands out for promoting women's political participation, requiring a minimum representation of 40% of each gender on candidate lists for elected office (Parity Law).
Despite these advances, challenges remain, such as gender-based violence, wage inequalities and cultural barriers that limit women's full participation in Cape Verdean society. The effective implementation of existing laws and the promotion of a culture of gender equality are essential to tackling these issues. The government, in collaboration with non-governmental and international organisations, must continue to develop inclusive policies and rigorous monitoring mechanisms to guarantee the application of laws and promote public awareness of women's rights (UN Women). International collaboration and continued support are key to overcoming the challenges and advancing the gender equality agenda in Cape Verde, ensuring that women have the same opportunities as men in all aspects of Cape Verdean life (World Bank).
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