Portugal's Cabinet has gone out into the street to observe a minute of silence as part of a day of national mourning it decreed for victims of domestic violence.

The day of mourning on Thursday aimed to rouse society to fight against domestic violence.

Police say 12 women have died this year in domestic violence incidents — the highest number over the same period in 10 years. Activists complain there are no official figures on domestic violence and say courts are too lenient.

On the eve of International Women's Day, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said in a tweet that domestic violence is "a collective challenge" for society as a whole.

Costa was to attend the first meeting of a new committee charged with proposing ways of reducing domestic violence.