Neither society nor the Government is tolerant of violence against women, and the Government prosecutes persons accused of such crimes. The Government funds organizations providing shelter, counseling, and hot lines. In 1997 women's shelters provided refuge to 342 women and 363 children. Information offices set up to respond to women in distress reported receiving a total of 3,921 telephone calls in 1997. In 1997 women's groups also saw an increase in the number of immigrant women seeking assistance, particularly from the former Yugoslavia.
Women enjoy the same property rights as men.
In the absence of a prenuptial agreement, property is divided equally upon the dissolution of a marriage. The law mandates equal pay for equal work, and the Ministry for the Promotion of Women has a mandate to encourage a climate of equal treatment and opportunity. However, according to government reports, women are paid from 9 to 25 percent less than men for comparable work, depending on the profession. The differences are least in the highest paid professions and more substantial at lower salary levels. To date there have been no work-related discrimination lawsuits in the courts.