Activist have been lobbying in India for a while to get tougher laws on domestic violence. As of yesterday men could face jail sentences and stiff fines for violence against women.

The law, which took effect Thursday, also applies to men or their families who harass wives for larger dowries, the government said. The measure is intended to prevent cases in which a husband or his family kills a wife because her family did not give a big enough dowry. The Domestic Violence Act's definition of abuse is broad, including verbal, physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse. Violators face up to a year in prison and a fine of 20,000 rupees (US$435; euro360). "We have been trying for long to protect women from domestic violence. In India, around 70 percent of women are victims of these violent acts in one or another form," said Renuka Choudhury, the junior minister for women and child development.

Word.

via AP.

2 Comments

October 26, 2006 2:41 PM

[0+]  Kate said:

Am I expecting too much or do those penalties seem far too lax? Considering the severity of some of the things they are attempting to "protect" against, that seems like a slap on the wrist.

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October 26, 2006 11:53 PM

[0+]  ArsenicandEarlGrey said:

Kate,

You should go to the Blank Noise Project's Blog. It'll help you see just how bad things are for women in India. Personally I think this is a good step forward. Sure, the penalties should be harsher, but it's a place to start.

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