Cape Verde could elect its first woman president

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 06:43 · Archive

Cape Verde's first woman presidential candidate, Joana Rosa, challenges incumbent José Maria Neves on Sunday.

Cape Verde could elect its first woman president on Sunday as former Justice Minister Joana Rosa challenges incumbent José Maria Neves, who is seeking a second term. Six candidates are competing in total, with a runoff scheduled for 29 November if no candidate receives more than half the votes. Rosa, backed by the opposition Movement for Democracy, is the first woman to run for president since the country's independence from Portugal in 1975. Women have held senior cabinet posts, but Cape Verde has never had a female prime minister or president.

In Cape Verde's parliamentary system, the prime minister directs government policy and holds most executive authority. The president's role is largely symbolic, although the directly elected head of state can veto legislation. The Atlantic island nation off West Africa, home to about half a million people, has a record of peaceful transfers of power and competitive elections in a region where that is rare. Almost 77,000 Cape Verdeans abroad are registered to vote, almost a fifth of the total electorate.

Neves, who won in 2021 with about 52 per cent of the vote, has pledged to build cross-party support to improve housing, health care and education, create jobs and raise wages. Incumbency gives Neves greater visibility, including among overseas voters, according to Roselma Évora, a professor of political science and gender studies at the University of Cabo Verde. Évora said many voters felt distant from their leaders and wanted a president who understood their daily difficulties, while limited economic prospects were driving young people to seek opportunities abroad. Rosa's candidacy challenges traditional expectations of women's roles in a society that remains 'very patriarchal', Évora said.

How it is being reported

• Poll could deliver Cape Verde its first woman presidentFormer Justice Minister Joana Rosa could become Cape Verde's first woman president since the country gained independence more than 50 years ago.The West Australian · 15 Nov, 06:12
• Poll could deliver Cape Verde its first woman presidentFormer Justice Minister Joana Rosa could become Cape Verde's first woman president since the country gained independence more than 50 years ago.Perth Now · 15 Nov, 06:12

In this story: Joana Rosa · José Maria Neves · Cape Verde · Movement for Democracy · Portugal · University of Cabo Verde

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