Francisca Pereira facts for kids

Francisca Lucas Pereira Gomes, known as Francisca Pereira, was born in 1942. She is a former nurse, a brave activist for independence, and a politician from Guinea-Bissau.

Francisca Pereira: A Champion for Guinea-Bissau

Growing Up and Joining the Movement

Francisca Pereira was born in Bolama. This town used to be the capital of the Portuguese colony called Portuguese Guinea.

When she was a young woman, she joined a group fighting for freedom. This group was called the Guinea-Bissau Liberation Movement. Later, it became known as the PAIGC. She joined them around 1959 or 1960.

Training and Helping Others

Francisca first worked in the PAIGC office in Conakry. In 1965, she traveled to Kiev in the former Soviet Union. There, she received special training to become a nurse.

From 1967, she helped lead the Escola Piloto in Conakry. This was a training center for children who were soldiers or refugees from the war in Guinea-Bissau.

During the years of the revolution, she worked as a nurse. She helped people in areas of Guinea that the PAIGC controlled. She also worked at the PAIGC hospital in Ziguinchor, Senegal. Between 1970 and 1975, she spoke for the women's groups at several PAIGC meetings.

A Leader in Independent Guinea-Bissau

After Guinea-Bissau became independent, Francisca Pereira held many important jobs. She became the Mayor of her hometown, Bolama. She also led the Guinea-Bissau Women's Union.

When Guinea-Bissau became a democracy, she continued to serve her country. From 1990 to 1994, she was the Minister for Women's Affairs. This was a very important role.

From 1994 to 1997, she was the first Deputy President of the National Assembly. This is like being a vice-speaker in the country's parliament. Then, from 1997 to 1999, she served as the Minister of the Interior.

In 2002, she was given another important job. She was named the Minister of State for political affairs and diplomacy. This meant she helped with the country's relationships with other nations.