title: Women in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
text: # Women in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
  
  The women in Cocos (Keeling) Islands are the female residents of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a dependency of Australia that can be found in the Indian Ocean. The first known settlers arrived on the islands in 1826.
  
  ## Pregnancy
  
  In 1826, the female residents of Cocos Islands had an average birth rate of 8.4.
  
  ## Marriage
  
  For the women in Cocos Islands, the legal marrying age is 16 years old. After formalizing the marriage, women in general can make decisions about where they will be residing, a choice that is not dependent on the male spouses. Legal policies regarding marriage in Cocos Islands, however, is regulated by the Commonwealth Marriage Act of 1961, and is governed by ordinances such as the Christian Marriage Ordinance, the Civil Marriage Ordinance, and the Muslim Ordinance, among others.
  
  ## Representation
  
  Kaum Ibu (Women's Group) is a women's rights organisation that represents the view of women from the islands at a local and national level.
  
  