In the Philippines, President Gloria Arroyo signed a new law increasing penalties for men who abuse their wives and children, while similar legislation was reportedly on the cards in Indonesia.

A Philippines group campaigning against domestic violence hailed the law as the culmination of more than 10 years' work. Nine percent of Filipino women suffer domestic abuse, campaigning group Kalakasan (Strength) Foundation said.

Men who abuse their female partners will face up to 16 years in jail under the law, which also provides special protection measures for abused women and gives them legal recourse, officials said.

In Indonesia, the Jakarta Post said in an editorial that parliament had passed a bill to curb domestic violence but that its signing by the president had been delayed for unexplained reasons.

Rita Serena Kolibonso, head of a group working to stamp out violence against women in Indonesia, described domestic violence as "a hidden crime as our system does not allow the emergence of such cases in court."

In Taiwan, President Chen Shui-bian raised the prospect of appointing the island's first woman prime minister if he wins his re-election battle on March 20, according to local media reports.

Chen told supporters he also wanted more women to serve in the cabinet.

Contenders for premier include the head of the body charged with formulating the island's China policy, Tsai Ing-wen, and industrialist Nita Yin, now heading the project to build a high-speed railway the length of the island.