Curaçao is the administrative centre of the Netherlands Antilles and is an autonomous entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As part of a system governed by a constitutional monarch, the Prime Minister is the head of the executive branch and leader of the Legislature while the head of state is the Monarch represented by the Governor. Curaçao has limited self-government, and since 2000 the political status of the island has been under discussion regarding its relationship with the Netherlands and the other islands of the Antilles. In 2005 the residents voted for a status outside the Netherlands Antilles, though rejecting the option for full independence. In 2006, a new Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles was elected, and in 2007 Curaçao was to become an autonomous associated state under the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In late 2006, the council rejected a clarification on the process postponing the change.

Re-organisation of the justice system was part of the agreement that has been postponed. Corruption and immunity are not reported as problems. Drug trafficking and human trafficking are reported to be increasing problems, with women and girls trafficked for sexual exploitation.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2007 urged the government to provide support to victims of trafficking through the extension of visas and by other means.

Education on Curaçao is the joint responsibility of the federal government of the Antilles and the local government. The system corresponds to the Dutch system, but the Netherlands has no responsibility for its administration. Education is free and compulsory for ages 6 to 15. Nevertheless, poverty is cited as a factor for the non-attendance of several hundred school-age children, among them the children of undocumented immigrants.

The languages of instruction in education are Papiamentu, English, Dutch and Spanish, which are introduced at the primary level. Dutch, English and Papiamentu are languages of instruction in secondary schools. Locally designed didactic materials and textbooks are used in the schools. Early childhood education is widely available for children aged 4 and 5, and there is a vocational training school for children with special needs.

Private schools have a larger enrolment than public schools. Higher education is available at the University of the Netherlands Antilles in Curaçao, and a teacher training college is also available on the island, but a shortage of qualified teachers remains a problem at all levels.

No data is provided by UNESCO Institute for Statistics

No data is provided by UNESCO Institute for Statistics

No data is provided by UNESCO Institute for Statistics

No data is provided by UNESCO Institute for Statistics

Mentally and physically disabled children and orphans are cared for by religious organisations assisted by government funding. Orphanages, boarding schools and homes for handicapped children are all available, and a school provides vocational training for disabled youth.

No information is provided on the situation of refugees.

Academic freedom is comparable to that of the Netherlands.

The CEDAW Committee in 2007 noted the persistence of gender stereotypes in the Netherlands Antilles. It noted that women in the labour market are predominantly in part-time positions and rarely in high-ranking positions in the public service. The Committee urged the government to ensure the protection of the human rights of migrant and immigrant women.

Domestic violence was also raised as a cause for concern. Women represent 58% of enrolments at university and at post-secondary colleges.

The Netherlands has ratified the ILO Conventions on child labour, and Curaçao is therefore a party to these conventions. The minimum age for employment is 15. Children aged 15 to 18 can work with parental consent. The law is not strictly enforced, and minors work in hazardous occupations. Drug trafficking by children is reported. Legislation does not specifically deal with child pornography or child prostitution although sexual abuse of children is a punishable offence. Young offenders are not segregated from adults in prison from adults.

ILO Conventions ratified by the Kingdom of the Netherlands apply in the Netherlands Antilles, including Curaçao. The education union is considered to be in partnership with federal and local government in the development of education policy and programmes.