Rape Laws

Though the centre formed a panel in 2020 to review laws related to sexual offenses, rape laws continue to see women as victims. This denies legal protection to men and other genders who are victims too.

Recently, in a noteworthy development, the Kerala High Court, while adjudicating in a child custody battle between a divorced couple, orally remarked that penal provision against rape should be made gender-neutral.

The catholicity of marriage in various societies and cultures is ascribed to essential social and personal functions such as sexual gratification and regulation in marital life. Division of labour between sexes, economic production and consumption and quenching personal needs for affection, social status and companionship are also some major factors behind the institution of marriage.

India is considered the worst country for women due to sexual violence. Women are often seen as chattel and raped. In some nations, violence is needed for the crime to be seen as rape. Only a change of mindset can tackle this horrendous crime.