President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance to check crime against women.

The Union Cabinet on Friday recommended to the President to promulgate the ordinance to deal with the crimes against women effectively based on the recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee.

The panel had recommended enhanced punishment of imprisonment up to 20 years for rape and life term for gang rape and murder.

It had also suggested that crimes like stalking, disrobing a woman and voyeurism be treated as new offences with stringent punishment.

It had also recommended broadening the definition of rape.