Cabo Verde's Journey: Using Data to Drive Gender Equality Policies

Over the past two decades, Cabo Verde has developed a notable approach to public policy, particularly in advancing gender equality. Recognizing that small island nations can produce high-quality knowledge and apply it to policy, the country has focused on generating gender-specific statistics and research to address traditionally overlooked social dimensions. This effort was a collaborative endeavor, primarily between the Cabo Verdean Institute for Gender Equality and Equity (ICIEG) and the National Institute of Statistics (INE), with significant contributions from various ministries, universities, civil society organizations, and international partners.

The partnership's success lies in its ability to bridge statistical rigor with policy relevance. The INE ensures the methodological quality and credibility of data, while the ICIEG ensures this knowledge informs the national gender equality agenda, identifies information needs, and supports its use in policy formulation. International cooperation, including collaboration with UN agencies and academic institutions, was crucial for adapting global methodologies, training national teams, and building a sustainable base of expertise.

Key milestones include the 2005 survey on gender-based violence, which provided crucial evidence to strengthen legislation and response mechanisms. A 2012 Time Use Survey highlighted the disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic and care work on women, leading to policies like expanded preschool education and the development of a National Care System. A follow-up survey in 2024 showed progress in reducing this burden, demonstrating the impact of consistent public policies. Cabo Verde's experience underscores the value of a continuous cycle of knowledge production, policy implementation, and evaluation, fostering an institutional culture that views knowledge as a public good and evidence as the foundation for effective governance and social transformation.