Translating CEDAW into Law: CEDAW Legislative Compliance in Nine Pacific Island Countries

This publication is divided into 10 chapters. Chapter 1 introduces and provides an overview of the indicators that have been developed and applied to assess CEDAW legislative compliance in the 9 Pacific Island countries. National constitutions and existing laws in 9 Pacific Island countries were measured and the results indicate that there are varying levels of compliance from country to country and with the various indicators developed for each of the 16 CEDAW articles in the 9 Pacific Island Countries reviewed.

Chapters 2-10 contain the results of the two desk reviews that together show the legislative compliance of the 9 Pacific Island countries, as judged against the indicators that have been developed. A table showing the legislative compliance for each country follows the summary of each national legislative review. Compliance with each indicator is measured against 3 possible outcomes; full compliance, partial compliance or no compliance. A brief commentary is also provided, where necessary, to explain why an existing legislative provision does or does not meet the standard prescribed in the indicator.