I just want to share that although there has been some resistance to addressing the issue of violence against women, we have however been able to educate ourselves, the grassroots women and people in general. The issues of VAW have been addressed during the annual International Women's Day activities, bi-annual national women conference, as well as seminars and workshops since 1996 in all our four FSM States. In the preparation for this year 1999 International Women's Day - March 8, we held at least six meetings in one of the States, attended by up to 40 women. Several of us from the Department of Health, Education, and Social Affairs, shared with them.
Age of marriage is controlled by each of the four States.
Generally requires the male to be 18, and the female to be 16 years of age. As for the age of sexual consent varies by each State. In three States, at age 13, and one State, by age 15. Most of the grassroots women were surprised about the lower sexual age of consent. When explained about the importance of raising the age, they understood but at the same time some pointed out that it has been part of the traditional thinking.