Office, and the appointment of a woman to head this ministry. The ministry immediately developed the national strategy for integration of women in development (SNIFD). 233. The 2002 Act defines the national policy on integration of women in the development process for the 2003-2012 period and identifies implementation of the SNIFD strategy as a national priority. This strategy advocates equal participation of women and men in the country's development process and has four priority areas: participation of women in decision-making processes, maternal and child health, girls’ education and women’s literacy programmes, and enhancement of economic conditions of women. 234. In the framework of increasing the participation of women in political and public life, the 2002 Act on the quota system established that at least 20% of one or the other sex shall be represented in elective and administrative positions marking the entry of women into the National Assembly (7 parliamentarians in January 2003). Following the 2008 legislative elections, nine women were elected, i.e. 14% of parliamentarians. 235. Though women’s representation in the Executive branch has been recent, efforts deployed by the President of the Republic have gradually improved the situation. To date, women hold three ministerial positions: Ministry of Women’s Empowerment, Ministry of Solidarity and Ministry of Housing. 236. Women are well-represented in the judiciary. Indeed, the Supreme Court, the highest court in the country, the Court of first instance and the Appeal Court are headed by women. 237. The implementing order issued by the President of the Republic in 2008 for proportional representation with at least 20% of one or the other sex occupying high-level positions in the Government resulted in a significant increase in the number of women in positions of responsibility in most ministries. C. Rights of the child 238. Djibouti has made considerable efforts to improve the lot of children residing on its territory, by progressively implementing a sustained multisectoral policy to promote and protect their rights. That the Government of Djibouti attaches particular importance to the matter is borne out by the submission of its first periodic report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. 239. That report and information contained in the common core document highlight that the legal, socioeconomic and cultural measures taken in order to boost child development and protect children have led, in particular, to a reduction in infant mortality. 240. The Family Code now clearly sets the age of civil majority at 18 years. It also puts an end to harmful traditional practices and ensures that girls are properly protected from early marriage. 241. Respect and consideration for the “best interests of the child”, a key notion in the architecture of the fundamental principles underlying the Convention on the Rights of the Child, have now been enshrined in family law. This basic criterion makes it possible to go beyond the interests of the child, which could 46