The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) recommended that Cape Verde review its civil code to stop recognizing factual unions initiated with the participation of minors.
In an official statement released on the day, it was stated that the Committee called on Cape Verde to amend the Civil Code to prevent the retroactive recognition of unions that were started when one of the parties was a minor.
These CEDAW recommendations came after Cape Verde submitted its 16th Periodic Report in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 16.
The Committee expressed concern that the recognition of factual unions by the Civil Code—after three years of cohabitation—could lead to the legitimization of unions that began when one of the parties was still a child.
The United Nations body also noted another aspect: 'most factual unions remain without legal recognition, placing women in a position of legal and economic vulnerability in cases of separation or widowhood.'
In this regard, the expansion of 'formal recognition procedures to all islands' and ensuring 'protection of women's rights—in terms of property, alimony, and housing—in unions without legal recognition' is advocated.
CEDAW also reported its concern about the decrease in female representation in Cape Verde's governance.
The Committee noted: 'The Committee expressed concern over the sharp drop in female representation in the national government—from 53.3% in 2010 to only 16.7% in the executive branch in 2026,' despite progress in achieving gender parity in the National Assembly and municipal assemblies.
The Committee recommended amending the 'Parity Law' to guarantee equal representation of women and men in executive positions, including the national government and high posts in public administration.
In another chapter, the Committee strongly urged the archipelago to 'review the Gender Violence Law to explicitly criminalize political violence and harassment against women, including in the digital environment.'
