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 AFROL
Gender Profiles:
Cape
Verde
After independence from Portugal in 1975, the island state of Cape
Verde in general has experienced political stability and tranquility.
Having a predominantly Creole population, Caper Verdean culture is a
mix between South European and West African. Except for poverty
related problems, women's situation can be compared to that of other
predominantly Catholic societies.
In Cape Verde, domestic violence against women, including wife
beating, remains common. Despite constitutional prohibitions, sexual and
societal discrimination against women continues.
Child abuse and
mistreatment, sexual violence against children, and juvenile prostitution are
problems in Cape Verde. Each
woman averagely gives birth to 4,19 children (2000 est.).
Social data
Life expectancy: Total population: 68,91 years
male: 65,63 years
female: 72,29 years (2000 est.)
Alphabetization rate: Total population: 71,6%
male: 81,4%
female: 63,8% (1995 est.)
Medical services: 82% of the people have access to medical
services. ( 3.450 persons per doctor).
Sex ratio: at birth: 1,03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1,02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0,9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0,65 male(s)/female
total population: 0,93 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Religious data: Traditional African religions 4,31%, Christian
95,69% (Roman Catholic).
Family and tradition
The Constitution prohibits discrimination against women in inheritance, family, and custody matters. However, largely because of illiteracy, most women are unaware of their rights. Women often are reluctant to seek redress of domestic disputes in the courts. The Organization of Cape Verdean Women alleges disparate treatment in inheritance matters, despite laws calling for equal rights.
Gender sensitivity in society
The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, religion, disability, language, or social status. However, despite the Government's increasing efforts to enforce all relevant constitutional provisions, it still does not do so effectively, and not all elements of society, particularly women and children, enjoy full protection against discrimination.
Despite constitutional prohibitions against sex discrimination and provisions for full equality, including equal pay for equal work, discrimination against women continues. Although they often are paid less than men for comparable work, women are making modest inroads in the professions. However, some employers claim that they prefer to hire men.
There are no restrictions in law or practice regarding the rights of women or members of minorities to vote or to participate in the political process; however, women are underrepresented in government. Women constitute 11 percent of the deputies elected to the National Assembly. There are two female cabinet ministers and three secretaries of state (junior ministers).
Health data
Access to potable water: 51%
Medical services: 82% of the people have access to medical
services. ( 3.450 persons per doctor).
Maternal mortality rate: N.A.
Infant mortality: 54,58 deaths/1.000 live births (2000 est.)
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): The reports about FGM on Cape Verde
are not known to us.
Violence against women
Domestic violence against women, including wife beating, remains common. Both the Government and civil society encourage women to report abuses such as rape and spousal abuse to the police; however, longstanding social and cultural values inhibit victims from doing so, and such reports remain rare, according to the media. Nevertheless, reporting of such crimes to police has increased somewhat, and the media increasingly report their occurrence. Women's organizations are seeking legislation to establish a special family court to address crimes of domestic violence and abuse.
Violence against women has been the subject of extensive public service media coverage in both government- and opposition- controlled media. In December 1998, the Parliament revised the Penal Code, widening the scope of the concept of sexual abuse and strengthening penalties.
Child abuse and mistreatment, sexual violence against children, and juvenile prostitution are continuing problems, exacerbated by chronic poverty, large unplanned families, and traditional high levels of emigration of adult men. The media reports cases of sexual abuse against children and adolescents. The inefficiencies of the judicial system make it difficult for the mass media and government institutions to address the problem.
Main sources: U.S. Department of State, CIA,
UN, Mundo negro
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