UN Committee Reviews Cabo Verde’s Gender Equality Record and Progress Under Parity Law

GENEVA — The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women reviewed the tenth periodic report of Cabo Verde on 16 October 2026, commending the nation's political representation milestones while questioning officials on gender stereotypes and protections for informal workers.

Committee experts highlighted Cabo Verde's progress under its 2019 parity law, which mandated at least 40 per cent representation for each sex on candidate lists. Following the May 2026 elections, women secured 47.2 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, elected the body's first female president, and achieved 52.9 per cent representation in Municipal Assemblies. Additionally, women hold four of the seven judicial seats on the Supreme Court of Justice.

Despite these advancements, experts noted ongoing disparities. Committee members questioned the delegation about mechanisms to evaluate long-term efforts targeting traditional gender roles, discriminatory attitudes, and media portrayals. Experts also raised concerns regarding labour market segregation, where women remain concentrated in domestic work, health, education, and commerce, and sought updates on regulatory frameworks for domestic workers.

Adélsia de Jesus Mendes Almeida, Minister of Family, Inclusion, Social Development and Labour and head of the Cabo Verdean delegation, stated that gender equality remains a cross-cutting government priority despite challenges associated with being a small island developing state facing climate vulnerability and limited resources. She noted that gender mainstreaming became a formal budgetary principle following 2019 reforms, with all budget units assessed using gender markers by 2025.

According to national data presented by the delegation, women headed 65.6 per cent of informal production units as of 2023, and 88.4 per cent performed unpaid care work in 2024, compared to 67.9 per cent of men. The economic value of unpaid work was estimated at nearly 9.6 per cent of gross national product.

In response to inquiries, the delegation reported that a national transition programme had formalised over 33,000 workers and that paternity leave had been established to promote shared domestic responsibilities. The delegation also highlighted the establishment of victim support centres, a shelter, and specialised training for police officers and magistrates to address gender-based violence.

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