FemFocus 2026-2030: Empowering Cape Verdean Women for a Sustainable Future

Gender equality and women's empowerment are indispensable pillars for the sustainable development of Cape Verde. FemFocus 2026-2030 This represents an ambitious and multidimensional initiative aimed at accelerating progress in this area through strategic and collaborative interventions that seek to transform the lives of Cape Verdean women. This program, grounded in the principles of a human rights-based approach and active community participation, aims to combat existing gender disparities and promote equality in all spheres of society.

Cape Verde, despite the significant progress made in recent years, continues to face significant challenges regarding gender equality. Cape Verdean women, although constituting the majority of the population, remain underrepresented in political and economic leadership positions. They face difficulties in accessing education and vocational training, and are vulnerable to gender-based violence and discriminatory practices.

However, Cape Verde also presents unique opportunities for progress in terms of gender equality. Political stability and the political will demonstrated by the government to implement gender-friendly policies create a favorable environment for the success of initiatives such as FemFocus. The program aims to capitalize on these opportunities, working in partnership with government institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

The main objective of FemFocus 2026-2030 is to achieve a more just and egalitarian Cape Verdean society, where women can fully realize their potential and actively contribute to the country's development. To achieve this objective, the program will focus on four main pillars:

1. Education and Training: Strengthen women's access to quality education and vocational training through the creation of scholarships, mentoring programs, and the development of gender-sensitive curricula.
2. Economic Empowerment: To support female entrepreneurship through the granting of microcredits, training programs, and the creation of business support networks. To promote women's access to the labor market, combating wage discrimination and occupational segregation.
3. Health and Well-being: To promote women's sexual and reproductive health through education, the provision of accessible and quality health services, and the fight against gender-based violence.
4. Political and Social Participation: To increase the representation of women in political and social leadership positions through training, support for female candidates, and the promotion of civic participation. To raise public awareness of the importance of gender equality and combating stereotypes.

Methodology and Implementation

The FemFocus 2026-2030 program will be implemented through a collaborative and participatory approach. The program will involve local partners, including civil society organizations (CSOs), government institutions (Ministries of Women, Family and Social Inclusion; Education; Health; Economy), universities, and the private sector. The implementation methodology will include:

• Diagnosis and analysis: Data collection and assessment of the specific needs and challenges of Cape Verdean women on each island.
• Strategic partnerships: Establishing strong partnerships with CSOs, government institutions, and the private sector to ensure the program's sustainability.
• Training: Development and implementation of training programs for women in areas such as leadership, management, entrepreneurship, and human rights.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Establishing a robust monitoring and evaluation system to measure the program's impact and ensure its effectiveness.

Expected Impact and Sustainability

The FemFocus 2026-2030 program aims to generate a significant impact on the lives of Cape Verdean women. It is expected that the program will contribute to:

• Increase the number of women with access to education and vocational training.
• To strengthen female entrepreneurship and generate new job opportunities.
• To improve women's sexual and reproductive health and reduce gender-based violence.
• To increase women's participation in politics and in society in general.

The sustainability of the program will be ensured through the active involvement of local communities, the creation of their own financing mechanisms, and the development of institutional capacities. FemFocus 2026-2030 will be a catalyst for social change in Cape Verde, promoting gender equality and building a fairer and more prosperous future for all.

FemFocus 2026-2030 is a transformative initiative with the potential to positively impact the lives of Cape Verdean women. Through a comprehensive and collaborative approach, this program aims to break down barriers, create opportunities, and build a more equal and sustainable future for Cape Verde. Investing in FemFocus is investing in the country's future.

Application Details

Submission Deadline: January 7, 2026.

For more information about the application process and form, please access the link: https://www.government.nl/topics/grant-programmes/femfocus-2026-2030