ABSTRACT
Micronesian countries, including Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and Palau, are among the least advanced in terms of gender equality. One of the most significant consequences of women's underrepresentation in politics is the high level of domestic violence and insufficient access to protection. Micronesia is unique from the rest of the Pacific Island countries in terms of its history, legal system, and matrilineal social system. This chapter discusses the challenges and progress of anti-domestic violence law in these countries in the past, present, and future. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has led to policy measures that address how women are disproportionately affected in these countries and how they face even higher rates of domestic violence. Despite police and crisis centers' efforts to address violence against women, new challenges have emerged for the effective implementation of domestic violence legislation in the context of the emergency situation, related to disease pandemics, natural disasters, and climate change. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Dongling Zhang and Diana Scharff Peterson;individual chapters, the contributors.