New domestic violence law in India passes.

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.