Proposed ‘Romeo and Juliet’ law may spare boys, but what about girls?
Summary
Nepal’s proposed 'Romeo and Juliet' law aims to prevent automatic rape charges for consensual teenage relationships close in age but faces criticism for not addressing girls' vulnerabilities and deep-rooted social inequalities.
Key Points
- Nepal’s current law treats any sexual relationship involving a person under 18 as rape regardless of consent, sparking debates about legal protections.
- A task force proposes a 'Romeo and Juliet' provision with a three-year age-gap to exempt certain teenage consensual relationships from rape charges.
- Critics argue the proposed age gap is too wide and does not adequately consider power imbalances or girls' welfare.
- Experts emphasize that legal reform alone cannot address social realities such as caste discrimination, early marriage, and lack of sex education affecting adolescent girls in Nepal.
