Towards Empowerment and Active Citizenship in Cape Verde: Literary Journalist Sara Almeida Discloses the Truth About Women’s Rights
摘要
Determined to contribute to the promotion of social justice, the journalist Sara Almeida publishes opinion articles on the lives of invisible women who sustain a significant part of the economy and society of Cape Verde yet still lack relevant participation in education and politics. This chapter scrutinizes a corpus of 15 articles by journalist Sara Almeida in the national daily newspaper of Cape Verde, Expresso das Ilhas (2012–2019), which cover the issues of adolescent pregnancy, fatherless children and women in politics. The analysis was carried out by means of an interpretative and inductive approach. Almeida reveals the truth about the sociological discrepancies of gender (in)equality, the (mis)role of women, their fight for equal rights and opportunities, empowerment and a dignified status in society. The author qualifies as a literary journalist as she raises awareness to women’s early dropout from the education system, a vicious circle of illiteracy and menial jobs and an absence from centre-stage positions in politics, government and the entrepreneurial world. She gives voice to the consequential victims of sexual crimes, early adolescent pregnancies and motherhood and wants of social security. Media coverage of such hidden truths about women’s rights is the tool for change and empowerment, for sustainable development and access to global public goods and citizenship.