President of the Republic calls for a “firm and constant response” to GBV in the 16 Days of Activism

Praia, 25 Nov (Inforpress) – The President of the Republic stated today that no country can consider itself fully free while practices of violence affecting women and girls persist, stressing that this scourge demands firm, coordinated and sustained responses from the whole of society.

In a video message to the nation marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, José Maria Neves said no society can claim to be free if half of its population lives in fear.

Gender-based violence, he stressed, is a collective—not private—problem, representing a “civilizational setback” that requires a firm, permanent and coordinated response.

As Cabo Verde marks 50 years of independence, the Head of State highlighted that the freedom achieved in 1975 can only be fully realised when both women and men have equal opportunities to exist, dream and prosper.

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