The most comprehensive compilation of information on the status of
women in the world.

Latest items for LRW-LAW-1

March 15, 2024, 2:30 p.m.
Countries: Gabon
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"[I]n the absence of specific legislation, the Penal Code establishes penalties for rape" (10).
Feb. 20, 2024, 9:55 a.m.
Countries: Qatar
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"The country’s penal code also criminalises sex outside marriage. Police often do not believe women who report sexual violence, says Rothna Begum, a senior women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, instead siding with men who claim it was consensual, which can lead to the survivor facing charges" (para 25). "A Qatari official said anyone who came forward with a complaint would be supported and their complaint fully investigated: 'Qatari law prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of all women. Assault is criminalized under the penal code, and access to justice is a guaranteed right for everyone through the Qatari court system. Female foreign residents play an important role in Qatar’s...more
Feb. 5, 2024, 1:29 p.m.
Countries: Central African Rep
Variables: LRW-LAW-1, GEW-LAW-1

"In convicting one perpetrator based on his responsibility for rapes committed by his subordinates, the Court concluded that the rapes in this case constituted crimes against humanity and war crimes. This holding brings vital recognition to the women who suffered these horrendous crimes, some of whom were minors at the time, and to survivors of gender-based violence in the conflict more broadly" (para 3).
Feb. 4, 2024, 5:28 p.m.
Countries: Spain
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"Spain’s 'only yes means yes' law – which was brought in following widespread anger over the 'wolfpack' gang-rape in Pamplona in 2016 – has made consent a key factor in sexual assault cases" (para 12). "But it has also revised the scope of potential minimum and maximum prison sentences, allowing some convicted sex offenders to appeal against their sentences and have them reduced. By the end of December, 129 convicted offenders had benefited from the sentencing changes" (para 13).
Jan. 22, 2024, 6:54 p.m.
Countries: United States
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"Under federal law, any sexual contact between a prison employee and a prisoner is illegal, even if it would be considered consensual outside the system. Guards at Coleman, when confronted with evidence that they had sex with female inmates, admitted that they were worried about being charged with a crime in affidavits made public by the subcommittee on Tuesday" (para 18).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"The Domestic Violence Act, 2008 abolishes spousal exclusion in rape cases . . . Moreover, it eliminated the common law spousal exclusion." (15). "[T]he Government acknowledges that currently there is no specific legislation that addresses sexual abuse" (15). "In terms of Section 45 of the Interpretation (Amendment) Act, 2013 the legal age of majority in Botswana is 18 years irrespective of sex. This effectively accords any such person locus standi to act in his/her name without any parental consent, save for persons who have been mentally incapacitated" (21).
Nov. 6, 2023, 11:49 p.m.
Countries: China
Variables: LRW-LAW-1, LRW-LAW-2

"[Amendment IX to the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China, adopted in August 2015] abolished the crime of soliciting underage prostitutes. All such criminal acts are considered rape and will receive severe punishment." (7).
Nov. 3, 2023, 11:41 a.m.
Countries: South Korea
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

“Upon entering office, President Yoon scrapped government gender quotas, declaring people would be hired on merit, not sex. He appointed just three women to his 19-member cabinet. He is now trying to abolish the government's Gender Equality Ministry, which supports women and victims of sexual assault, claiming it is obsolete. More than 800 organisations have come together to protest against the closure, arguing it could have a damaging impact on women's lives” (para 10). The presence of the gender equality ministry indicates that there are laws against rape and sexual assault (ET - CODER COMMENT).
Sept. 30, 2023, 4 p.m.
Countries: Kazakhstan
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"The Committee notes the 2014 amendments to the law on domestic violence of 2009 that provide for restraining and protection orders and social assistance to victims of domestic violence. It also takes note of the State party’s intention to adopt the bill on countering domestic violence and to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. However, the Committee notes with concern the following: The lack of revision of the definition of rape (art. 120 of the Criminal Code), which continues to be based on penetrative vaginal intercourse and requires the element of violence or threat of violence rather than the lack...more
Sept. 25, 2023, 8:02 a.m.
Countries: Guyana
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"The age of sexual consent is 16. By law a person who has sexual relations with a child younger than 16 may be found guilty of a felony and imprisoned for life" (9).
Sept. 22, 2023, 8:51 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"Rape, including spousal rape, is illegal and punishable by up to eight years’ imprisonment if convicted" (18). "Sexual relations between an adult and a child younger than 12 are considered rape" (20). "Sexual relations with a child between the ages of 12 and 17 are considered sexual abuse" (20-21). "The legal age for consensual sex is 18" (21).
Sept. 7, 2023, 12:33 p.m.
Countries: Lebanon
Variables: LRW-LAW-1, LRW-LAW-2

" 'If the rapist is a family member, he would be treated as any normal rapist, meaning he might get out in three or five years depending on the judge and the lawyers,' [Mohammad] Mansour [director of the Resource Center for Gender Equality] explained" (para 33).
Aug. 15, 2023, 5:22 p.m.
Countries: Bahamas
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"Rape of men or women is illegal" (12).
Aug. 15, 2023, 6:17 a.m.
Countries: Cote D'Ivoire
Variables: LRW-LAW-1, LRCM-LAW-2

"The Committee notes that the Code of Criminal Procedure has been adopted and that the Criminal Code is being revised. It notes with concern, however: (a) The absence of a definition of rape and the failure to criminalize marital rape and domestic violence in the Criminal Code (Law No. 1981-640 of 31 July 1981, as amended by Law No. 1995-522 of 6 July 1995, and Law No. 2015-134 of 9 March 2015)" (8). "The Committee recommends that the State party, in line with its general recommendation No. 35 (2017) on gender-based violence against women, updating general recommendation No. 19: (a) Expedite the revision of the Criminal Code, ensuring that it...more
Aug. 8, 2023, 8:30 p.m.
Countries: Bulgaria
Variables: LRW-LAW-1, DV-LAW-1

"[A]ll forms of gender-based violence, including physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence, against women and girls are not defined and criminalized in the current legislation, nor is there provision for ex officio prosecution of acts of gender-based violence against women" (6).
Aug. 8, 2023, 12:20 p.m.
Countries: Senegal
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"The provisions of articles 300 and 305 of the Criminal Code that discriminate against women have been factored into the proposed revision of discriminatory laws." (4)(NF - CODER COMMENT - Act. 300 states that consummation of a marriage between a child and an adult is considered statuatory rape for children under the age of 13. This comes with a sentence of 2-5 years and if the child is injured, the sentence can be increased from 5-10 years. As for Act. 305, this act prohibits abortion unless a physician states that it is medically necessary). "In order to better protect women victims of violence, the Senegalese State has introduced a bill...more
July 30, 2023, 5:37 a.m.
Countries: Spain
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"In May, congress approved legislation, known as the "Only yes means yes law", making it easier for victims of sexual violence to prosecute their assailants by emphasising the importance of consent." (parag. 19)
July 12, 2023, 10:36 p.m.
Countries: Spain
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"In May, congress approved legislation, known as the "Only yes means yes law", making it easier for victims of sexual violence to prosecute their assailants by emphasising the importance of consent." (parag. 19)
July 10, 2023, 9:26 p.m.
Countries: Maldives
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"Law Number 17/2014 (Sexual Offences Act) was enacted on 13th May 2014 and came into force 6 months thereafter. This Act provides for the protection of children and adults from all forms of sexual violence, and includes an aspect to prevent rape within marriage. Additionally, sexual offenders engaging children are subjected to a specific regime of law established pursuant to Law Number 12/2009 (Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Abuse Offenders)..."(5). "The Government notes that Special Procedures Act on Sexual Abuse which states that no child under the age of 13 years can give consent, and that any child between the ages of 13–18 has an excusable defence...more
June 27, 2023, 11:16 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"By law the age for consensual sex is 16" (30).
June 20, 2023, 9:30 p.m.
Countries: Nicaragua
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"Act No. 952, amending the Criminal Code (Act No. 641), the Comprehensive Prevention of Violence Against Women Act (No. 779) and the Criminal Procedure Code (Act No. 406) of 2017 protect the right to life, security and freedom and the personal, psychological and mental well-being of women, children and adolescents. By means of these laws, the field of criminal law has been updated and tools to prevent and end sexual abuse have been established." (4). "The Civil and Criminal Codes have been amended since 2008 with regard to rape and other sexual crimes." (13). "The Criminal Code (Act No. 641)... punishes sexual exploitation, pornography and paying for sex with adolescents,...more
June 14, 2023, 7:56 p.m.
Countries: Bolivia
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"Act No. 348 expressly prohibits conciliation with regard to the reported facts or to the life and sexual integrity of the victim, if they have been placed at risk. It also provides that no institution that handles complaints, nor the staff of that institution, can encourage conciliation or formulate agreements between a woman and her abuser, under pain of liability" (12). "Pursuant to article 266 of the Consolidated Text of the Bolivian Criminal Code, under the nomen juris permissible abortion, no penalty shall apply when an abortion has been the result of an offence of rape, abduction not followed by marriage, statutory rape or incest" (25).
May 12, 2023, 11:14 a.m.
Countries: Indonesia
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"Indonesia’s parliament is expected to pass a new criminal code this month that would criminalise sex outside marriage and outlaw insults against the president or state institutions, prompting alarm from human rights campaigners" (Para.1). "If passed, the code (criminal) would apply to Indonesian citizens and foreign visitors, and introduce sweeping changes affecting a wide range of civil liberties" (Para.4).
April 1, 2023, 9:26 p.m.
Countries: Uzbekistan
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"The Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence Act of 2 September 2019 defines the concepts of sexual, physical, economic and psychological violence. The harassment of women is distinguished from other forms of violence as an action (or inaction) that diminishes women’s human dignity and includes workplace harassment. In accordance with the Act, the entities involved in combating harassment and violence against women are not only law enforcement bodies, but also central and local executive authorities, education, labour and health authorities, women’s and other non-governmental organizations, citizens’ self-governing bodies and special centres to assist victims of harassment and violence.10 On 21 April 2019, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan approved plans...more
March 31, 2023, 2:31 p.m.
Countries: Egypt
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"[T]he Penal Code, particularly articles 17 and 60, justify and condone acts of violence against women by requiring that battery exceed 'accepted limits of discipline' for it to be successfully prosecuted, providing for the 'good faith' defence that absolves men from criminal responsibility in domestic violence cases, as well as articles 237, 274 and 277, which allow for leniency for so-called 'honour crimes', including the discriminatory application of sanctions for adultery, which perpetuate gender-based violence" (6).
March 8, 2023, 1:43 p.m.
Countries: Montenegro
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"Changes were made in the definition of the criminal offense of rape..., in such a way that any sexual act without consent was incriminated (with the retention of the criminal offense of rape for the occurrence of which the use of coercion is necessary).Attempted abuse or treatment of another in a manner that offends human dignity...is now stipulated as punishable" (11).
Feb. 24, 2023, 12:54 p.m.
Countries: Nepal
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"The statutory limitation on rape has been extended from 35 days to 6 months through the enactment of an Act to amend some Nepal Acts to ensure gender equality and elimination of GBV, 2015. The GoN will further review the implementation of this provision, and is committed to take necessary action in due course of time." (9). "In order to make legal regime more gender friendly and effective, the GoN has been drafting Victim/Survivor and Witness Protection Bill. The Bill proposes to afford protection to victims/survivors and witnesses in cases of rape, incest, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation along with other serious criminal offences listed in the notification published in...more
Feb. 18, 2023, 10:34 a.m.
Countries: Nepal
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"A young woman’s account on TikTok of being drugged, raped and then blackmailed by a beauty pageant organiser when she was 16 years old has provoked outrage in Nepal and prompted calls to reform the country’s 'grossly inadequate' rape laws" (Para.1). "In one of a series of videos, which together have been viewed millions of times, the former model and child actor broke down in tears as she talked about Nepal’s statute of limitations that dictates survivors must report cases of rape within one year of the offence being committed. Days after the videos were posted on the social media site on 18 May, hundreds of protesters took to the...more
Feb. 6, 2023, 12:07 p.m.
Countries: Kyrgyzstan
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"The Committee [on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women] recommends that the State party…adopt a definition of rape (article 161) based on lack of free consent that protects all women from rape, including lesbian, bisexual and transgender women" (15).
Feb. 5, 2023, 7:50 p.m.
Countries: Qatar
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"Dr Charlotte Proudman, a barrister specialising in violence against women, has been outspoken about Qatar, saying: ‘Shockingly, everyone has been incredibly silent on Qatar’s horrific sexual assault laws. Qatar’s strict Islamic code outlaws all sexual contact between unmarried couples - making it an offence even if the woman has not consented.’" (para 14). "Qatar’s Supreme Committee said it was ‘aware’ of the document but it was ‘not developed or approved by the Supreme Committee or any other State of Qatar entity.’" (para 22) (NF - CODER COMMENT - The document is in reference here is the memo released by law enforcement regarding the treatment of sexual assault/rape victims and pregnant...more