TEHRAN: Iran’s parliament has adopted proposals to toughen penalties for perpetrators of violence against women which could be voted into law within months, state media has reported.

Initiated more than 10 years ago, discussions in parliament led to the adoption on Sunday of the general principles of a draft bill called “preventing harm to women and improving their safety against misbehaviour”, IRNA news agency reported.

The text, which can still be modified, could be formally promulgated into law in the coming months.