Having "a life-changing experience" in Cabo Verde
In recent years, Cabo Verde has pursued gender mainstreaming to prioritize equality for women and combat gender-based violence in line with Sustainable Development Goal number 5. UN Volunteer Roxane Sardi (Luxembourg) serves as a UN Gender Officer within the Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO), working on gender based violence at a time when it has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
By introducing a law against gender-based violence in 2011 and adopting a positive discrimination approach, progress made in Cabo Verde has been encouraging. Unfortunately, entrenched patriarchal gender stereotypes persist and many of these have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
More women were isolated at home and many social services closed, which resulted in the increased vulnerability of women and girls to domestic abuse and other forms of violence. Work continues to recover these gains and promote greater equality for women in Cabo Verde.