A law to combat violence against women in Morocco came into effect on Wednesday, following years of heated debate and after thousands called for action in a recent gang-rape case.
For the first time, women in Morocco have legal protection from "acts considered forms of harassment, aggression, sexual exploitation or ill treatment."
The new law also paves the way for victims of violence to be offered support.
Minister of Family Bassima Hakkaoui hailed the legislation as "one of the most important texts strengthening the national legal arsenal in the area of equality of the sexes."
The photo dated on August 22, 2015 shows Minister of Family Bassima Hakkaoui attending a meeting in the city of Sale. /VCG Photo
The text was first drafted five years ago and was adopted by parliament in February, following a lengthy debate.
But the law has been deemed inadequate by some. For example, former Minister of Women Nouzha Skalli argued it fails to take into account "international definitions" of violence against women.
She has highlighted the example of marital rape, which is not criminalized under the new legislation.
More than 40 percent of women in Morocco said they had been "victims of an act of violence at least once", in a survey carried out by Morocco's High Commission for Planning, which surveyed those living in towns and aged between 18 and 64.
It's reported that the first woman to benefit from the legal change could be a 24-year-old who on Tuesday filed a complaint against three men for harassment.
The next hearing in the case is set for October 10.