Male Population Age and Marital Status (1999 Pop Census)

Age	Defacto	Married	Separated
15	3	16	2
16	4	22	1
17	3	31

These statistics provide interesting reading as under the Control of Marriage Act (CAP 45) No person of the male sex being under the age of 18 years and no person of the female sex being under the age of 16 years may lawfully marry.

The (draft) National Plan of Action for Women 2007-2011 includes a recommendation from the National Women’s Forum 27 August-1 September 2006 to develop legislation whereby the minimum age of marriage for both males and females is 18 years. However, to date, the State Law Office has not been instructed to amend the legislation accordingly.

Optional Protocol

2 6 . Please indicate any progress made with respect to the ratification of, or accession to, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (Ratification) Act n o.28 of 2006 was passed by Parliament at its 2 nd Extraordinary Session in November 2006.

This has not yet been assented to by the President, Head of State. The Act will commence on the day on which it is published in the Gazette.

M embers of the V anuatu CEDAW C ommittee

Chair

Hilda Taleo Director, Department of Women’s Affairs

V ice -C hair

Myriam Abel Director-General, Ministry of Health

Members

Hon. Isabelle Donald Minister of Justice & Social Welfare

Nadine Alatoa Secretary-General, Council of Ministers

Blandine Boulekone Women’s Rights Advocate

Morris Kaloran Director, Correctional Services Department

Patricia Kalpokas Ombudsman’s Office

Jenny Ligo CEO, Vanuatu National Council of Women

Danielle Masoe AusAID

Gregoire Nimbtik Department of Strategic Policy Coordination & Corporate Services

Andonia Piau-Lynch Coordinator, Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association

Jean Sese Director-General, Ministry of the Prime Minister

Merilyn Tahi Coordinator, Vanuatu Women’s Centre

Viran Molisa Trief State Law Office

Consultant

Elizabeth Mortland, New Zealand

17-29 December 2006