Africa-Press – Cape verde. The president of the Cape Verdean Women’s Organization (OMCV), Eloisa Gonçalves, today acknowledged the country’s progress in protecting women, but warned that “there is much work ahead,” especially in the effective implementation of existing laws.
Speaking to Inforpress on the occasion of Cape Verdean Women’s Day, celebrated today, March 27th, throughout the country, Eloisa Gonçalves said that although the legislation is very advanced and praised internationally, its impact in practice needs to be seen.
“We have not yet achieved what we aspire to in terms of the law on gender-based violence (GBV), the slowness of the justice system, and the parity law for the government, parliament, and municipal councils. We have instruments for equality that are in favor of the fight for gender equality, but in practice, something is still missing,” she stressed.
The head of the OMCV highlighted legislative advances such as the law on gender-based violence and the law on parity, education, and sexual and reproductive health, as well as the growing female presence in decision-making spaces, in politics, and in areas traditionally dominated by men.
“Today we have women in practically all sectors of society,” she said.
Despite this, she pointed out structural challenges that still persist among Cape Verdean women, such as poverty.
“Poverty still has a female face, there is an overload of unpaid work on women, and political participation continues to fall short of what is desired,” she said, adding that gender-based violence also remains a concern.
In terms of economic empowerment, she considered that there are “many instruments” out there to benefit women, but assured that their impact is not as real or as strong as they truly desire.
“The issue of implementation and oversight is lacking so that these programs, these plans, these funds truly have an impact on improving the living conditions of women and families.”
Regarding gender-based violence (GBV), he considered the phenomenon to remain “worrying” in the country and advocated for an “integrated approach” that includes education from childhood, elimination of gender stereotypes, and strengthening of the justice system.
“It is fundamental to guarantee quick and effective responses to victims,” he said.
The official also highlighted the importance of a balanced sharing of domestic tasks, emphasizing that the overload on women affects their social and political participation, and even their mental health.
“It’s not about helping, but about shared responsibility,” she stressed.
In this sense, she pointed to the issue of mental and emotional health, important for women, considering it a topic “still little discussed” in the country.
The president of the OMCV warned of the need for specific policies, including attention to women suffering from postpartum depression.
Regarding the work that the OMCV has done for women, she highlighted programs for economic empowerment, professional training, support for victims of violence, and community awareness actions, focusing on the most vulnerable women.
The organization also develops services such as daycare centers and day centers, aiming to reduce the burden on women and promote better living conditions.
On this day, she left a message of encouragement to all Cape Verdean women, urging them to value themselves more and invest in their self-esteem.
“It is necessary to take care of oneself in order to take care of others and to believe that it is possible to overcome challenges,” she said.
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