UN Urges Cape Verde to Ban Legal Recognition of Minor Unions
The United Nations has urged Cape Verde to overhaul its Civil Code to close a legal loophole that effectively legitimizes domestic unions involving minors. The recommendation was issued by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) following the review of the country’s 10th Periodic Report in Geneva.
Closing the Loophole on Minor Unions
Under current Cape Verdean law, de facto unions—or common-law marriages—can be legally recognized after three years of cohabitation. However, UN experts expressed alarm that this retroactive recognition often applies to relationships that began when one partner was still a child. By granting legal status to these unions after three years, the state is essentially validating unions initiated with minors.
The committee recommended an immediate amendment to the Civil Code to prevent any union started by a minor from receiving retroactive legal recognition.
Protecting Vulnerable Women
Beyond the issue of minors, CEDAW highlighted that the majority of de facto unions in the archipelago remain unregistered. This lack of formal status leaves women in precarious legal and economic positions, particularly in cases of separation or the death of a partner.
To combat this, the UN body is advocating for the expansion of formal recognition procedures across all islands. The committee stressed the need to guarantee women’s rights to property, alimony, and housing, even in unions that have not yet achieved formal legal status.
A “Sharp Drop” in Political Representation
The report also raised a red flag regarding the dwindling number of women in Cape Verde’s top leadership. While the country has made strides toward gender parity in the National Assembly and municipal governments, the executive branch has seen a dramatic reversal.
CEDAW noted with concern that women’s representation in the national government plummeted from 53.3% in 2010 to a mere 16.7% in the 2026 executive. To rectify this, the committee urged the government to amend its Parity Law to ensure equitable representation in high-level public administration and ministerial roles.
Tackling Modern Violence
Finally, the UN called for a modernization of Cape Verde’s laws regarding Gender-Based Violence. The committee recommended that the government explicitly criminalize political violence and harassment against women, specifically citing the need for protections against abuse in digital environments.
Image: Pexels – Xabi Oregi
