BOX 10. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS (CONT.) Much can be done to combat domestic violence against women, including by NHRIs. ­Legislation needs to be in place criminalizing all acts of violence against women, including marital rape. This is something NHRIs can attack in their review of legislation and advice to the executive and legislature. An example is the NHRI in India that in the 2002 examined the provisions of the Protection from Domestic Violence Bill and made detailed suggestions which it followed-up on. All these suggestions were incorporated in the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The mind-set of both men and women needs to be changed; NHRIs can consider being involved in sensitization campaigns. Providers of health and counselling services need to be aware of the issue of domestic violence and intimate partner abuse; NHRIs can monitor that training is in place and that these issues are taken into account. In some cases it can be useful to work with religious and traditional leaders to thoroughly deal with unfortunate views on gender and rights, see Box on Religious and Cultural Issues. As has been mentioned in several places in this Handbook, there are indications that the rural female population is more at risk than the urban population; this should be taken into account when dealing with these issues. 103