Women’s rights in India are currently a topic of intense debate, with the Supreme Court considering petitions to criminalize marital rape while the government opposes such a move, citing concerns about its impact on marriage. The issue revolves around consent within marriage, challenging a colonial-era law that exempts husbands from prosecution for rape against their wives.
Activists argue that this exemption perpetuates patriarchal norms and leaves women vulnerable within marriage. The government acknowledges that consent is essential in marriage but insists that existing laws provide adequate protection against sexual violence.
The debate also highlights the historical context, as Britain outlawed marital rape in 1991, a law that India inherited during colonial rule. Marital rape remains legal in approximately 40 countries worldwide, including Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan.