A/HRC/10/11/Add.3 page 20 74. Muslim women experience severe inequalities in access to education and consequent disproportionately high levels of illiteracy and unemployment. The application of Sharia law in some instances subjects Muslim women to norms incompatible with the Greek constitution, legislation and international standards, particularly with respect to child marriages. This practice evidently continues with serious implications for the health, well being and life choices of minority women, but regularly goes un-challenged by Greek authorities. Women brought up in the Muslim minority of Turkish heritage not speaking Greek, described being confined to their homes and villages with few opportunities for employment or social interaction. Examples were given of intimidation against women who attempted to establish women’s associations. Divorce leaves Muslim women particularly vulnerable considering their unequal status to men in regard to inheritance under Sharia law. 75. Roma women confront multiple grounds of discrimination, as women in Greece, as Roma, and as women within their communities. Many live under appalling living conditions while exercising an extremely heavy burden of care for children within highly patriarchal family and community structures. Young Roma women typically marry and have several children at a very early age, reportedly as young as 13.20 Child marriage is considered a tradition, but is also a consequence of lack of education and alternative opportunities. Girls have particularly high school drop out and illiteracy rates, as it is common for them to leave school upon marriage. Young Roma women often beg with their children since most men have irregular incomes. Reportedly high levels of divorce and domestic violence leave Roma women highly vulnerable and subject to abuse with little if any recourse via the justice system. Surveys highlighted by civil society groups21 undertaken in 2003/4 reveal disturbing trends relating to the general and maternal health of Roma women. 40 percent gave birth to their first child at the age of 12-16 years and 30 percent of births take place in tents or shacks within Roma settlements. VI. POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF MINORITIES 76. In Western Thrace, community representatives highlight that no members of the Muslim minority are represented in senior public posts, as public prosecutors, in the police or in the judiciary. They claim that, despite the election of two Muslim Members of Parliament in the opposition party, no Muslims hold senior posts in ministries. They discussed a lack of trust that exists between the minority and the Greek authorities which must be overcome for relations to improve. 20 Many Roma marriages are not legal and not registered, with implications including in regard to the registration of children and fathers. 21 See Greek Helsinki Monitor - Parallel Report on Greece’s Compliance with the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.