Criminalization of Marital Rape

RAPE, a word itself that depicts any kind of violent, humiliating, and degrading act. It is the most common practice used to harm women’s self-esteem, pride, and dignity. But have you heard about marital rape? Have you heard that a husband raped his wife? Yes, you read that right. When a perpetrator i.e a spouse forced himself on his wife without her allowance,

it is considered as marital rape. But to my surprise, it is still not considered a crime in our country. So it is my duty to raise my voice and pen down my opinions on this significant issue so that I can make everyone realize the seriousness of this dreadful act.

In India, we all have that mindset where patriarchal society is the dominant one. The males are the ones who can control women, who can objectify women, and who can use women according to their needs. On the other hand, women are used as a tool whose prior duty is to fulfill all the needs of their husbands or her dear ones. Women’s responsibility is to obey her

husband’s orders and satisfy his desires. And at last, she ended up being a baby-making machine or their children’s caretaker.

Marital rape is sexual conduct where a spouse forces his partner and have intercourse without her consent. He accomplished his physical desires without her willingness. As per Indian norms, the husband has a complete right to exploit his wife in any manner. Simultaneously women are taught to devote themselves to their husbands and fulfill their sexual needs. The ideologies of our patriarchal society are embedded with these sexiest

practices that need to be brought into the highlight due to their frightful consequences.

Instead of being a sacred bond, today Marriage has become a brutal agreement between husband and wife where the wife binds herself with a thread of responsibilities which devoids

her of self-esteem. Instead of being forcefully committed to these norms, women deserve to have equal rights as their husbands.

This humanitarian problem has its roots deeply embedded in the unjust oppression of women that has unfortunately become a social norm in our society. The fact that in India, it is normal to force one’s wife for sexual intimacy is a norm, utterly horrific and disgusting. Women should not be treated as objects but humans that have equal rights.

Any sexual activity should be done with due respect and consent. It is the husband’s obligation to ask his wife for having intercourse only then one can attain his goals and mutual understanding. Compelling and harassing one’s wife is unbearable. One can’t abuse and

spoil her as per his ambitions. A woman has a fair and equitable right to live in her own way. No one can disrespect her dignity for their own good. Every individual should be respected. It is important to have consent before doing anything to her.

With the increasing development, it’s time to change our customs and principles related to such issues. Our society thinks that a husband can rule his wife which should be amended to have a better

future for our country. This will not only improve the condition of women but also helps us to take a drastic step in the overall development of our society. It will also enhance our Indian culture. We should be grateful to women for contributing and investing their time in taking care of her children who are the bright future of this world. Her sacrifices should be respected.

So, at last, it is the need of the hour to criminalize the marital rape because every sexual activity has to be with the consent of both the persons. Unwilling sex is just not tolerable. The government should make it illegal with all strict actions and penalties so that no man can exercise his powers on women. It should be criminalized with proper implementation so that no one can misuse this law at the same time. Every woman has a right to live in her own way. So let’s just give them her space instead of letting someone control her life.

Written by Nimishagarg for Young Engine.