Parliament approved Thursday a bill strengthening support for vulnerable women, such as those dealing with poverty, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The new law, set to go into effect in April 2024, is meant to encourage the state and municipalities to better address these issues by helping women get back on their feet, while coordinating with women's support groups to come up with specific measures.
In recent years, the problems that women face such as poverty, sexual exploitation and suicide have become more complex, and support groups have said the current law does not take such situations and relief needs into account.
At present, the system of support for women is based on the country's anti-prostitution law enacted in 1956, which is aimed at protecting those who feel their only way out is through prostitution.
The new law is meant to take into account female victims of sexual or domestic violence who may not have a place to live or are in debt, and help them toward leading independent lives.
The coronavirus pandemic has made the dire situation faced by women more acute and visible.
For example, the number of domestic violence victims has increased as more people stay at home or have lost their jobs, meaning they have less opportunity to escape their abusers.
Under the bipartisan bill, the national government is charged with creating a basic policy for women's welfare and their human rights.
It requires prefectures to formulate basic plans to help those in need, and cities to devise specific measures.
Local governments are to coordinate with related organizations and nongovernmental women's groups to implement support measures, for example by helping to secure employment and housing for the women.
Provisions in the anti-prostitution law for counseling and shelters will be revised and incorporated into the new law.