Women’s Political Presence in Cabo Verde: Are We Closing the Leadership Gap?

Abstract: Centering on Cabo Verde—ranked sixth in Africa on the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index—this article argues that a significant leadership gap persists, despite efforts to eliminate gender inequality. Women participate in politics and community mobilization, yet they face barriers to political office and are disproportionately affected by poverty. Despite strides in political participation, it is premature to view their gains as indicating a broader acceptance of their leadership. This article examines how the political establishment instrumentalizes their inclusion. Analyzing Afrobarometer data and work conducted in Cabo Verde before and after passage of the 201¥ Parity Law, it finds that women’s political presence and leadership remain limited, reflecting the centrality of inclusion calculations in the national political landscape.