Women Domestic violence against women, including wife beating, remains common. Victims rarely report crimes such as rape and spousal abuse to the police. Women's organizations are seeking legislation to establish a special family court to address crimes of domestic violence and abuse. Women continue to face discrimination in several ways. Despite constitutional prohibitions against sex discrimination and provisions for full equality, including equal pay for equal work, discrimination continues.
Women experience difficulties in obtaining certain types of employment.
Although they are often paid less than men, they are making modest inroads in the professions. The Constitution prohibits discrimination against women in inheritance, family, and custody matters. However, largely because of illiteracy, most women are unaware of their rights. Women are often reluctant to seek redress of domestic disputes in the courts. The Organization of Cape Verdean Women alleges disparate treatment in inheritance matters, despite laws calling for equal rights.