Political_Views_In_Cape_Verde

Although many laws that prohibited crimes such as rape were there, they were not enforced very well. Because of this, the crimes had continued without punishment. Also, the number of reports of domestic violence were small and few because longstanding values taught them not to report the issue. Even with laws that said that women had equal rights as men, discrimination continued to happen. The punishment for such crimes were very severe, rape gaining up to 16 years in prison. Many groups have worked to eliminate any further discrimination between the two genders.

A protocol has been established to bring countries into eliminating women discrimination. This protocol is called the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, There were several countries that are ratified into this protocol, including Cape Verde. This protocol was set up to give new rights to women and to help them step up in the social hierarchy ladder.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is a treaty which ensures that women have equal opportunity in every way. This treaty makes sure that countries are putting these views into practice by having them submit a report of any crimes that violates this agreement every so often. Aside from the somewhat poor performance of the police force in Cape Verde, the laws are pretty set in place. Pretty much the only thing that can be done is to inform the country of the punishments involved with a crime and teach women to be able to stand up and report the cases of rape and domestic abuse.

"2008 Human Rights Report: Cape Verde." //U.S. Department of State//. 25 Feb. 2009. Web. 01 Mar. 2011. .

"2009 Human Rights Report: Cape Verde." //U.S. Department of State//. 10 Mar. 2010. Web. 01 Mar. 2011. .

"Countries That Have Ratified CEDAW." //Amnesty International USA - Protect Human Rights//. Web. 01 Mar. 2011. .

"Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa." //Equality Now//. Web. 01 Mar. 2011. .