# Maria das Neves

> Santomese politician, first female prime minister

**Wikidata**: [Q454046](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q454046)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_das_Neves)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maria-das-neves

## Summary
Maria das Neves is a Santomese politician who became the first female prime minister of São Tomé and Príncipe. She has held various government positions including Minister of Economics and Minister of Finance. Her career has been marked by significant contributions to the economic and political development of her country.

## Biography
- Born: January 1, 1958
- Nationality: São Tomé and Príncipe
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: First female prime minister of São Tomé and Príncipe
- Employer(s): Government of São Tomé and Príncipe
- Field(s): Politics, Economics

## Contributions
Maria das Neves has served in multiple high-level government positions in São Tomé and Príncipe. She was appointed as the country's first female prime minister, breaking gender barriers in Santomese politics. Prior to this role, she served as Minister of Economics and Minister of Finance, where she was responsible for managing the country's economic policies and financial systems. Her work in these positions contributed to the economic development and governance of São Tomé and Príncipe.

## FAQs
What positions has Maria das Neves held in government?
Maria das Neves has served as Minister of Economics, Minister of Finance, and Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe. She was the first woman to hold the position of prime minister in the country.

When did Maria das Neves become prime minister?
The exact date is not specified in the source material, but she became the first female prime minister of São Tomé and Príncipe during her political career.

What is Maria das Neves known for?
Maria das Neves is known for being the first female prime minister of São Tomé and Príncipe and for her work as Minister of Economics and Minister of Finance, where she contributed to the country's economic development.

## Why They Matter
Maria das Neves matters because she broke gender barriers in Santomese politics by becoming the country's first female prime minister. Her leadership in key economic positions helped shape the financial policies and economic development of São Tomé and Príncipe. As a woman in high-level government positions in a small African nation, she serves as a role model and demonstrates the potential for women's leadership in politics and economics in the region.

## Notable For
- First female prime minister of São Tomé and Príncipe
- Served as Minister of Economics
- Served as Minister of Finance
- Contributed to economic development of São Tomé and Príncipe
- Broke gender barriers in Santomese politics

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Maria das Neves was born on January 1, 1958, in São Tomé and Príncipe. She grew up in the island nation during a period when it was still under Portuguese colonial rule, gaining independence in 1975 when she was 17 years old. The country's transition from colony to independent nation during her formative years likely influenced her political career path.

### Political Career
Maria das Neves's political career has been distinguished by her service in multiple high-level government positions. She served as Minister of Economics, where she was responsible for overseeing the country's economic policies and development strategies. Following this role, she was appointed as Minister of Finance, managing the nation's financial systems and economic planning.

Her most significant achievement came when she was appointed as the first female prime minister of São Tomé and Príncipe. This historic appointment marked a breakthrough for women in Santomese politics and demonstrated the country's progress in gender equality in leadership positions.

### Economic Contributions
As Minister of Economics and Minister of Finance, Maria das Neves played a crucial role in shaping the economic policies of São Tomé and Príncipe. The country, with a population of approximately 204,327 as of 2017 and a nominal GDP of 526,653,791 US dollars in 2021, faces unique economic challenges as a small island developing state. Her work in these positions contributed to the management of the country's economy, which operates with the São Tomé and Príncipe dobra as its currency.

### Significance in Santomese Politics
Maria das Neves's appointment as prime minister was particularly significant given the political structure of São Tomé and Príncipe as a parliamentary republic. The country, classified as a "free country" by Freedom House, has a functioning democratic system with regular elections. Her leadership as the first female prime minister demonstrated the country's commitment to gender equality in political representation.

### Legacy and Impact
Maria das Neves's legacy includes breaking the gender barrier in Santomese politics and serving in key economic positions that shaped the country's development. Her career has shown that women can achieve the highest levels of political leadership in São Tomé and Príncipe. As a role model for future generations of Santomese women, she has helped pave the way for greater female participation in politics and government leadership roles.

### Context of São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe, where Maria das Neves has served, is a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with a total area of 1,001 square kilometers. The country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and has since developed as a parliamentary republic. With Portuguese as the official language and a population that includes various ethnic groups, the nation has worked to establish its identity and develop its economy since independence. Maria das Neves's contributions to the country's governance have been part of this ongoing development process.

## References

1. Dictionary of African Biography
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013