The Belgian Chamber of Representatives adopted a law for the prevention of femicide which aims to curtail violence against women in the country.

"This is a historic turning point in the fight against gender violence in Belgium", according to a press release from the Secretary of State for Gender Equality Marie-Colline Leroy.

The law defines different categories of femicide, including intimate femicide (perpetrated by a partner), non-intimate femicide (for example, the killing of a sex worker by a client), indirect femicide (such as death after an abortion or forced female genital mutilation) and gender-based homicide (for example, the death of a transgender person in the context of domestic violence).

The law enshrines a legal definition of femicide, which is understood as the intentional killing of women because of their gender. It also establishes enhanced protection for victims of gender-based violence, reported Belga News Agency.

The text would also ensure the collection of statistics on the phenomenon of femicide and provide training for police officers and magistrates to deal with cases of violence against women.

Many feminist associations gathered at the Belgian Parliament to celebrate the adoption of the law, which was drafted with the support of grassroots associations in the field.

"It's important to fight, but it's also important to celebrate the victories," said co-author of the law and Liège deputy, Sarah Schlitz of the occasion.

Stop Feminicide estimates that roughly two femicides take place each month in Belgium.