UNITED NATIONS, February 22 (Xinhua) -- While welcoming the entry to force of a new Penal Code in Afghanistan, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan said on Thursday it is concerned over the removal of a chapter penalizing violence against women.

The Penal Code entered into force last week, placing the country for the first time into compliance with international treaty obligations in criminal justice.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said "the Penal Code will bring significant positive developments and a real potential to trigger societal transformation."

However, removing the chapter penalizing violence against women causes concern over safeguarding the legal protection of women, it said.

The new Penal Code reinforces Afghanistan's compliance with international human rights and criminal justice standards and incorporates all mandatory crimes under the UN Convention against Corruption, the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crimes (UNTOC) and its three protocols.