Gender equality is a central theme in discussions about social and economic development around the world, and Cape Verde is no exception. This African archipelago, known for its stability politics[3] and social progress, has made significant progress in promoting gender equality, but still faces considerable challenges. A Constitution[2] Cape Verde guarantees equal rights for men and women, and the country has implemented public policies to promote female participation in various spheres, including politics, education and the labour market.
In recent years, Cape Verde has been recognised for its efforts to promote gender equality, reflected in international indices of human development and gender equality. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Inequality IndexThe country has shown consistent improvements, although there is still a long way to go to achieve full parity.
However, challenges remain, especially with regard to gender-based violence and discrimination in the workplace. A UN Women has collaborated with the Cape Verdean government to implement programmes aimed at reducing violence against women and promoting equal opportunities. In addition, education plays a crucial role in transforming gender norms, with ongoing efforts to ensure that girls and women have equal access to quality education.
This report seeks to explore the progress that has been made and the obstacles that still need to be overcome in order to achieve gender equality in Cape Verde. The analysis will be based on recent data, case studies and interviews with local experts, offering a comprehensive view of the social and cultural dynamics that influence gender issues in the country.
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Cape Verde has made significant progress in promoting gender equality through a robust legal framework. The country's Constitution guarantees equal rights for men and women, and various laws and policies have been implemented to reinforce this principle. Among the most notable initiatives are the Law[5] of Parity, approved in 2019, which establishes a minimum quota of 40% for the representation of each gender on electoral lists (UN Women). This legislation aims to increase female participation in politics and has been a crucial step towards gender equality in the country.
In addition, the National Plan for Gender Equality (PNIG) 2015-2018, and its subsequent updates, have been instrumental in coordinating governmental and non-governmental efforts to promote equal rights. This plan covers areas such as education, health, employment and combating gender-based violence, reflecting a comprehensive commitment to equality (Government of Cape Verde).
Female representation in Cape Verdean politics has shown progress, but still faces significant challenges. Despite the implementation of the Parity Law, the representation of women in political office has not yet reached the desired level. In the 2021 legislative elections, women occupied around 25% of the seats in parliament, an increase on previous years, but still below the target set by the legislation (Inter-Parliamentary Union).
Women's participation in politics is often limited by cultural and social barriers, including traditional norms that favour male leadership. However, training and sensitisation initiatives have been implemented to encourage more women to run for political office and actively participate in public life.
Education is one area where Cape Verde has made considerable progress in terms of gender equality. School enrolment rates for girls and boys are almost equal in primary and secondary education, reflecting equitable access to basic education (UNESCO). However, challenges persist in higher education, where female representation in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses is still low.
Specific educational programmes have been developed to promote the inclusion of girls in traditionally male-dominated areas, and to combat gender stereotypes that can influence career choices. These initiatives are crucial to ensuring that women have the same opportunities for professional and personal development as men.
In the labour market, women in Cape Verde face significant inequalities in terms of pay and job opportunities. Although the rate of female participation in the labour force has increased, women are still predominantly employed in low-paid sectors with less job security (World Bank).
The gender pay gap is a persistent issue, with women earning on average 20% less than men for similar roles. Policies to promote equal pay and programmes to support female entrepreneurship have been implemented to mitigate these disparities, but there is still a long way to go to achieve true equality in the labour market.
Gender-based violence is a critical problem in Cape Verde, disproportionately affecting women. Recent data indicates that one in three women in the country has been a victim of physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives (UNFPA). The government, in partnership with international organisations, has been working to strengthen protection and support mechanisms for victims.
The creation of support centres and hotlines, as well as the training of security agents to deal with cases of gender-based violence, are some of the measures adopted to tackle this problem. In addition, awareness campaigns have been carried out to change attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence against women.
Cultural and social challenges remain a significant obstacle to gender equality in Cape Verde. Traditional norms and deep-rooted gender stereotypes often limit women's opportunities and reinforce inequality. Community education and sensitisation are essential to challenge and change these norms, promoting a more gender-equal society. society[4] more equal.
Community initiatives and informal education programmes have been key to involving men and boys in promoting gender equality, highlighting the importance of an inclusive approach to achieving lasting change. Collaboration between government, civil society and international organisations is crucial to tackling these challenges effectively and sustainably.
Despite legal and political advances, economic inequality remains a significant challenge for the promotion of gender equality in Cape Verde. Women face substantial barriers in the labour market, including wage discrimination and limited access to quality employment opportunities. According to data from Cape Verde's National Statistics Institute, women represent a significant portion of the informal labour force, where wages are lower and labour rights are often disrespected (INE Cape Verde).
In addition, women are under-represented in leadership positions and in strategic economic sectors such as technology and finance. This imbalance is exacerbated by cultural norms that still give women primary responsibility for domestic and family care, limiting their time and availability for paid economic activities.
Reproductive health is a crucial component of gender equality, and in Cape Verde, women still face significant challenges in this area. Although the country has made progress in reducing maternal mortality and increasing access to reproductive health services, inequalities in access to these services persist, especially in rural areas and among low-income populations (UNFPA).
The lack of comprehensive sex education and limited access to effective contraceptive methods contribute to high rates of teenage pregnancy, which can interrupt the education and limit the economic opportunities of young women. In addition, the social stigma associated with sexual and reproductive health continues to be a barrier to women's access to necessary care.
Although the Parity Law was an important step towards increasing female representation in politics, the effective participation of women in leadership positions still faces significant challenges. The under-representation of women at the highest levels of political and business decision-making reflects structural and cultural barriers that limit their leadership opportunities.
Women entering politics often face gender discrimination and harassment, which can discourage continued participation and limit their impact. Empowerment and mentoring initiatives are essential to support women in overcoming these obstacles and to promote a more inclusive and inclusive political life. culture[6] more inclusive and equitable politics (UN Women).
While basic education in Cape Verde has balanced enrolment rates between boys and girls, professional training and access to higher education in high-demand areas remain unequal. Women are under-represented in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses, which limits their opportunities in emerging, high-paid economic sectors.
Specific training programmes for women, aimed at increasing their skills in technical and leadership areas, are key to promoting gender equality in the labour market. In addition, promoting successful female role models in traditionally male-dominated areas can inspire more women to pursue similar careers (UNESCO).
Gender-based violence remains a critical problem in Cape Verde, affecting women's safety and well-being. Despite existing laws criminalising domestic violence and other forms of abuse, the implementation and enforcement of these laws are often inadequate, leaving many women without effective protection.
The lack of adequate resources for victim support services, such as shelters and psychological assistance, exacerbates the situation. In addition, social stigma and fear of retaliation can prevent victims from reporting abuse, perpetuating the cycle of violence. Collaboration between the government, non-governmental organisations and civil society is essential to strengthen protection measures and promote a culture of zero tolerance towards gender-based violence (Human Rights Watch).
Promoting gender equality in Cape Verde requires a significant cultural shift to challenge deep-rooted gender norms and stereotypes. Awareness campaigns and community education are essential to promote equality and involve men and boys as allies in the fight against gender discrimination.
Initiatives that highlight the benefits of gender equality for society as a whole can help transform attitudes and behaviours. Informal education and community empowerment programmes play a crucial role in building a fairer and more equitable society, where all individuals, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to thrive (UNDP).
Education is one of the fundamental pillars for promoting gender equality in Cape Verde. The government, in partnership with non-governmental and international organisations, has implemented educational programmes aimed not only at increasing girls' access to education, but also at integrating a gender perspective into school curricula. These programmes are designed to challenge gender stereotypes from an early age, promoting a culture of equality and mutual respect between boys and girls. According to data from Cape Verde's Ministry of Education, there has been a significant increase in the enrolment rate of girls in secondary education in recent years, reflecting the positive impact of these initiatives (Cape Verde Ministry of Education).
Unlike existing content that addresses reproductive health in general, this section focuses on specific policies that have been implemented to guarantee women's reproductive rights in Cape Verde. The Cape Verdean government, with the support of organisations such as UN Women, has been working to improve women's access to quality reproductive health services. This includes making contraceptive methods available, maternal health services and sex education programmes in schools. Such initiatives are crucial to empowering women to make informed decisions about their bodies and their lives, contributing to gender equality (UN Women).
While the previous section on economic inequality discussed the barriers faced by women in the labour market, here we focus on initiatives aimed at empowering women economically. The Cape Verdean government has been promoting microfinance and professional training programmes for women, especially in rural areas where employment opportunities are limited. These programmes aim to increase women's financial autonomy, enabling them to start and expand small businesses. According to Cape Verde's National Statistics Institute, women who take part in these programmes report significant improvements in their quality of life and in their ability to contribute economically to their families (INE Cape Verde).
An innovative approach to promoting gender equality in Cape Verde is the formation of public-private partnerships. These partnerships have proved effective in implementing projects aimed at gender inclusion in various spheres, such as technology and innovation. Private companies, in collaboration with the government and NGOs, have developed training and mentoring programmes for women in traditionally male-dominated sectors. This collaboration not only expands opportunities for women, but also promotes a more inclusive and diverse corporate culture (Government of Cape Verde).
Although cultural change and awareness-raising has already been addressed in previous reports, this section focuses on specific campaigns aimed at changing behaviour and attitudes towards gender equality. Social media campaigns, community workshops and public events have been organised to raise awareness about the benefits of gender equality for the whole of society. These initiatives are designed to involve not only women, but also men and boys as allies in the fight against gender discrimination. The inclusive approach of these campaigns has been key to challenging cultural norms and promoting a more equitable society (UNDP).
One critical area that has received increasing attention is the monitoring and evaluation of gender policies. The Cape Verdean government, in collaboration with international partners, has developed systems to evaluate the effectiveness of gender equality policies. This process involves collecting and analysing gender-disaggregated data to identify gaps and areas for improvement. The feedback obtained through this monitoring is used to adjust and improve existing policies, ensuring that they effectively meet women's needs and promote gender equality in a sustainable way (World Bank).
The report on gender equality in Cape Verde highlights significant progress in the legal and political field, with the implementation of laws such as the Parity Law, which aims to increase female representation in politics. However, the representation of women in political office still falls short of the targets set, reflecting persistent cultural and social barriers. Education has been a point of progress, with balanced enrolment rates between boys and girls in basic education, although challenges remain in higher education, especially in STEM courses (UN Women, UNESCO).
Despite efforts to promote equality in the labour market, women continue to face unequal pay and are predominantly employed in low-paid sectors. Gender-based violence is a critical problem, with one in three women being victims of physical or sexual violence, highlighting the need for more effective protection measures (UNFPA, Human Rights Watch). To tackle these challenges, it is crucial to strengthen reproductive health policies, promote economic empowerment programmes and foster public-private partnerships that expand opportunities for women. Cultural change through awareness-raising campaigns and the continuous evaluation of gender policies are essential steps to ensure a more equitable and inclusive society in Cape Verde (Government of Cape Verde, World Bank).
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