A/HRC/16/16 Pacific Ocean. Approximately one third of the population was registered as living on the small remote atolls, which were often difficult to gain access to and provide with the necessary social services. 7. The delegation also indicated that, in preparation for the universal periodic review, the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia had created a task force comprising various entities, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Affairs, to name only a few. Broad consultations had begun in February 2010 with, inter alia, various meetings, workshops and research efforts. Various activities had been carried out with relevant national Government entities, state and local governments, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, civil society and communities. 8. The Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia was the supreme law of the land and guaranteed the right to life, liberty, equal protection and due process of law. It guaranteed non-discrimination on the basis of sex, race, ancestry, national origin, language or social status, as well as the right to property. It provided for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and petition and for the non-establishment of religion and its free exercise. It recognized the right of people to education, health care and legal services. It protected the rights of persons with disabilities, the rights of defendants through the presumption of innocence, and the right against self-incrimination and double jeopardy. It prohibited capital punishment. 9. The culture and tradition of the Federated States of Micronesia sustained its people. Micronesian society was matrilineal. In that regard, the significant role of women was central to Micronesian culture and tradition. The personal identity and character of individuals was often associated with clans on the mother’s side. Ownership of land was retained through women. Women played a significant role in conflict resolution. More often than not, the word of an elderly woman was the final authority on matters. 10. Micronesian society continued to evolve, and women were involved in modern decision-making. They were running for political offices. At the national level, where national policies were made, women were seated as key decision-makers of the President’s Cabinet. At the state level, where policies were affecting people’s daily lives, women were involved in decision-making as lawmakers. A few months ago, the first women ever to be seated on the National Supreme Court bench had been sworn in to serve as one of the four justices of the National Supreme Court, and that had been a milestone in the country’s political history. At the technical level, many women held key positions that were critical to informing policies. The Government recognized the significant contribution of women and had created the Office of Gender and Development under the Department of Health and Social Services. 11. The delegation indicated that Micronesia was a very peaceful society and that violence against women and children were rare and isolated. Nonetheless, the delegation indicated that the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia recognized the need to protect women and children against domestic and sexual violence and stated that many programmes and activities had been carried out to address sexual violence against women and children. In that connection, under the Compact of Free Association with the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia was eligible for federal grants to tackle domestic and sexual violence against women. Training courses and funding support for police officers to improve capacity and understanding of domestic violence were provided by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. The Government of Japan had agreed to support the establishment of a new multi-purpose complex in the state of Chuuk, which would house women’s activities and raise awareness about women’s issues, including domestic and sexual violence. The multipurpose Centre for Women was actually an 4