A/HRC/26/8 46. The delegation highlighted the effective participation of women in the National Dialogue Conference that had led to the adoption of a resolution requiring that women accounted for at least 30 per cent of all State authorities. That provision would enable women to participate effectively in the development process. Women were also represented in and sometimes led civil society organizations. 47. Many measures had been taken to protect girls from the dangers of early marriage and to specify the marriageable age. A bill setting the minimum age of 17 years had been approved by the House of Representatives in February 2009, but it had not yet been promulgated. Steps were being taken to promote its promulgation. The Government and NGOs had undertaken numerous activities aimed at raising awareness of the problem. The national dialogue outcomes were binding and required the House of Representatives to specify the marriageable age in the Personal Status Law. The head of the delegation was confident that that aim would be achieved with the backing of civil society, OHCHR, the international community and the global media. 48. The delegation highlighted the submission to the House of Representatives of the draft law on the independent human rights institution based on the Paris Principles. It stated that the law would definitely be enacted shortly, in coordination with the representatives and that there would be no objections from political parties. 49. With regard to the issue of violence against women and, in particular, FGM, the Government had agreed to conduct a study on gender-based violence, including against refugees. FGM was deemed to constitute violence against women and was a priority issue. The Government had suspended health workers who practised FGM. 50. The delegation highlighted the national dialogue outcomes as a contribution to the promotion of economic and social rights and the equal distribution of wealth and power. However, the Government faced many challenges, such as the high unemployment rate and poverty index. The adoption of a three-year national youth employment plan providing for more than 150,000 jobs had been adopted. The Transitional Programme for Stabilization and Development included a number of policies and action programmes that gave priority to the creation of employment opportunities for youth and the development of human resources. 51. A draft amendment to the Judicial Authority Act had been prepared to enhance the independence of the judiciary. It contained provisions designed to limit the powers of the Minister of Justice in matters relating to judges; to expand the powers of the Supreme Judicial Council; and to provide for the transfer of the functions of the Judicial Inspectorate and the Office of the Public Prosecutor to the Supreme Judicial Council. 52. Yemen was among 97 States that had not abolished the death penalty. It imposed the penalty for the most serious crimes, in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). There was no article in Yemeni law that authorized the imposition of the death penalty on juveniles. A committee had been established with the assistance of experts from Jordan to ensure that children were not executed. Of the 25 detainees on death row suspected of being children, only three had been found to be under 18 and their sentences had been revised, even though they had been ratified by the President and returned to the High Court. 53. A woman occupied the position of Vice-President of the Supreme Court. Women also headed appeal courts and held positions in the Juvenile Court. 54. Kuwait noted the difficulties Yemen facing regarding its stability and security and the positive steps taken during the national dialogue, which included all Yemenis, among them political parties and civil society organizations. Kuwait made a recommendation. 8