Palau

The Republic of Palau, which is made up of a group of islands located in the North Pacific Ocean, was once part of the Caroline Islands. In 1978, the people of the islands chose to become independent rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. Palau ultimately attained independence in 1994. Tradition continues to govern many aspects of life in Palau, and women play an important role because the basic family is defined as a mother and her children. Groups of families make up clans. Ranking female members work with the other leaders to elect a meal leader for each clan. A separate council with equal status is composed of ranking female members. A council composed of clan chiefs from 16 states serves as advisers to the democratically elected president of Palau. Suffrage is universal.

By 2008, 81 percent of islanders were living in urban areas. The per capita income is $8,100. Income is derived chiefly from government jobs, tourism, and U.S. aid. Ethnically, Palauans make up almost 70 percent of the island's population. A number of religions are represented in Palau, including Roman Catholic (41.6 percent), Protestant (23.3 percent), and Modekngei (8.8 percent), an indigenous religion.

The median age for Palauan females is 32.7 years. With an infant mortality rate of 11.36 deaths per 1,000 live births, female infants have an advantage over male infants (14.83). This higher survival rate continues throughout life, and females have a life expectancy of 74.54 years, compared to 68.08 years for males. In 1973, Palauan women produced an average of 7.7 children. Today, the fertility rate has declined to 1.82 children per woman. Although males (93 percent) have a higher literacy rate than females (90 percent), females (15 years) generally stay in school longer than males (14 years).

According to law, no barriers exist to prevent women from entering politics. In 2006, there were no women in Palau's parliament. Within two years, two women had been elected to Palau's senate, and women held 16 percent of state legislative seats. Three governors were female, and five of nine supreme court judges were female. Domestic violence is a problem that is often associated with the use of alcohol and drugs. Evidence suggests that many incidences go unreported. Rape is rare on the islands. Although prostitution is illegal, it continues to flourish. There are no official reports of problems with sexual harassment or sex discrimination, but there are reports of human trafficking into Palau. Women's rights groups are active on the islands, and they have made health, education, drug abuse, prostitution, and traditional customs and values priorities on their agendas.