In 1966, the PAIGC Central Committee began mobilizing women on an equal basis as men, and Pereira became a revolutionary leader, a Political Officer, and a commander.
[4][5][6] While very few women fought in the front lines, the PAIGC was exceptional it pushing for greater gender equality in a society with strongly defined sex roles.
Other such women leaders who emerged from this effort in the PAIGC included Teodora Inácia Gomes, and most famously, Titina Silla.
[3] Compelled to leave the country, she lived in Senegal before traveling to the Soviet Union to study medicine.
Again chosen President of the People's National Assembly from 1984, she left this post in 1989 to become a Member the Council of State.