Blog 2: India Enacts Tough New Rape Laws

INDIA ENACTS TOUGH NEW RAPE LAWS


On February 4th, India passed tougher, less lenient, laws concerning rape and sexual violence against women. These laws were passed in the wake of a brutal gang rape of a 23 year old girl in India’s capital. In cases where rape has led to death or left the victim in a vegetative state, the penalty is death, and the minimum years spent in prison doubled from 10 years to 20 years. Part of what led the laws to be passed to quickly (as it generally takes quite a bit of time) is due to public outrage over the gang rape that occurred the december prior. Women’s right activist say these laws are a good start in tackling problems of sexual violence, but they are also concerned that these laws don’t cover marital rape or rape by a member in the military. 




As was stated in my last article summery, marital rape is an overlooked crime in Latin America, in India, and in almost every part of the world. Even in the United States, many courts see marriage as an exemption from rape laws. This pervasive thinking dissuades women in marriage from speaking about sexual violence and rape, and the issue needs to continue to be addressed. Ranjana Kumari of the Center for Social Research in New Delhi states “Marital rape is something which needs to be recognized by Indian law and also by Indian society. Unless we recognize that women will continue to be treated as object of sexual gratification," she said. "And will not be granted their own autonomy, independence and bodily integrity. You cannot go against consent of women, she is not your property.” The government attempted to calm activist by saying they are not ruling out addressing issues like marital rape, but only time will tell.

-Cassandra Poulos
1:30pm