An important capacity-building event on gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) and the introduction of the “Gender Equality Seal in Public Institutions” program took place in the city of Praia from 14 to 16 October. Olavo Correia, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Business Development and Digital Economy of Cape Verde, noted this event as an important milestone in Cape Verde’s efforts to implement essential institutional reforms that promote gender equality in economic governance and government transparency. He also highlighted the importance of integrating a gender perspective into public sector policies, procedures, operations and practices.
Gender equality is one of the pillars of sustainable development and a central objective in the national and international commitments undertaken by Cape Verde. By signing the letter of commitment to adhere to the Gender Equality Label in Public Institutions programme, the Ministry of Finance not only demonstrates its commitment to achieving global equality standards but also its determination to promote real changes in public institutions and establish a model to be followed by the entire public sector in the country.
Adhering to the program will lead the ministry through a transformative process towards gender equality, integrating a gender perspective in planning and budgeting processes, institutional architecture, work environment, accountability, and partnerships, with the hope of achieving concrete results by the end of the process. This process could have a direct impact, first on institutional transformation, and consequently, on resource allocation and program formulation across all areas of economic governance, thus promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and equality in decision-making positions. At the same time, it aims to influence other institutions, encouraging them to adhere to the Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions.
With the signing of the letter, the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Business Development, and Minister of Digital Economy emphasized that the institution he represents is committed to ensuring more equitable conditions between men and women to improve its contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals in the country.
The signing of the commitment letter was just the beginning. The challenge now is to implement the necessary measures and ensure that gender equality becomes an ingrained practice in all public institutions, and Cabo Verde has the opportunity to serve as an example for other countries in this regard.
It is worth noting that the Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) capacity-building seminar and the presentation of the “Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions” program, within which the Commitment Letter was signed, were promoted by the Pro PALOP-TL project and the PNUD BPPS Gender Team, in partnership with the Cape Verdean Institute for Gender Equality and Equity (ICIEG), as part of the implementation of its Annual Work Plan in Cabo Verde.
The Pro PALOP-TL Program, currently in its Phase III, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, aims to strengthen economic governance, transparency, and accountability in PALOP and Timor-Leste, promoting capacity building and institutional development.
For more information, visit the Ministry of Finance’s website and read the published press release by clicking here.
