27 March marks the Dia da Mulher Cabo-verdiana (Day of the Cape-Verdean Woman). For the occasion, the Organização das Mulheres de Cabo Verde (OMCV/Women’s of Cabo Verde Association) organised a high-level event and celebrated their 43 anniversary.
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I was honored to speak on my experience as a Cape-Verdean descent in the diaspora telling my story as a daughter of migrants and how, with education, strength, discipline and motivation became the politician I am today. Watch my speech here:
The event opened with a speech by Cabo Verde’s First Lady Débora Katisa Carvalho and OMCV's President Eloisa Cardoso Gonçalves, followed by panel discussions on the history of Cape-Verdean women.
OMCV was fundamental for the inclusion of women's rights in legislative work plans, being seen as a catalyst for the Family Code and the Abortion Decriminalisation Law, approved in the 1980s.
The country is quite progressive when it comes to women’s rights, but there is still a pay gap, with men earning average 15% more than women, gender-based violence increased 16% since 2022, there are many cases of sexual abuse of girls, and this is worrying.
That same week I participated as speaker in an event "Success Stories: Women Entrepreneurs in the Cape-Verdean Diaspora" by Workin’ Cabo Verde with inspiring testimonies from Cape Verdean women entrepreneurs sharing experiences and practical tips for overcoming obstacles.
During my visit to the islands, I also had the chance to meet Marisa Andreia Carvalho, President of the Gender Equality Institute (ICIEG), overseen by the Ministry of Family and Social Inclusion.
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The Day of the Cape-Verdean woman is a moment of celebration, of recognition of the role of Cape-Verdean women, but above all an anniversary that instigates a deep reflection on the challenges that women still face in Cape Verde in realizing their rights and aspirations as human beings and as citizens.
Read the article IN FRENCH.