Marital rape is a serious issue in India, as well as in many other countries around the world. It is defined as non-consensual sexual intercourse by a husband with his wife. Despite the fact that it is a criminal offense, it is not recognized as a crime in India.
This is a
problematic viewpoint, as it disregards the autonomy and agency of the wife.
Just because a woman is married, it does not mean that she loses the right to
control her own body and make decisions about whether or not to engage in
sexual activity. Marital rape is a form of domestic violence and can have
severe psychological, physical and sexual consequences for the victim.
There have
been several efforts to criminalize marital rape in India. In 2013, the Indian
government introduced an amendment to the penal code which made marital rape a
crime, if the wife was below the age of 18. However, this still left the
majority of married women in India without legal protection against rape by
their husbands.
In 2018, the
Indian government proposed a bill to criminalize marital rape, but it has yet
to be passed. The bill faced opposition from several groups, including
conservative religious groups, who argue that criminalizing marital rape would
weaken the institution of marriage.
It is
important to note that marital rape is not only a problem in India, but also a
global issue. According to a study by the World Health Organization, up to 37% of
women in the world have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an
intimate partner, including rape.
It is
crucial that the Indian government takes action to criminalize marital rape and
provide legal protection for married women. This can be done by amending the
Indian Penal Code and raising awareness about the issue through education and
public campaigns. It is also important for the society to change their mindset
and understand that marriage does not give anyone the right to control over
someone else's body and sexual choices.
In
conclusion, marital rape is a serious issue in India and needs to be addressed
through legal and societal changes. It is important that the government takes
action to criminalize marital rape and provide legal protection for married
women. It is also important for society to change their mindset and understand
that marriage does not give anyone the right to control over someone else's
body and sexual choices.
