Since independence in 1975, authorities soon identified children as one of the target groups deserving special attention. Capeverdean legislation was revised in order to eliminate child discriminating situations (ex: legitimate children and children out of wedlock) from the colonial period. In many cases, a woman alone raises, educates and supervises a family of young children; the 1990 census found that 41% of family heads are women.

A public institution dedicated to protecting and promoting children’s rights, was created in 1982. In the health and education sectors, measures were adopted aimed at improving the access of women and children to primary health care and primary education.

In the 1992-2000 period, the Government allocated 29% of the overall resources from the State Budgets to the sectors of activity most directly related to children’s survival and development, illustrating the great importance given to children. Such priority was strengthened during the 1998-2000 period, when the amount reached 34% of the State Budget. Despite all the efforts by the government, a great majority of Capeverdean children live in poverty with limited access to daily nourishment, health care, nutrition and education.

Considerable number of children live without parental support, such as orphans, children living on the street, children affected by trafficking and sexual and economic exploitation and children who are incarcerated. Special measures should be taken to support such children and the institutions, facilities and services that care for them, and to build and strengthen children’s own abilities to protect themselves.