Denmark Toughens Rape Law to Include Sex Without Consent
Rights groups and assault survivors welcomed the change, saying it was long overdue in a country that prides itself on gender equality.
An International Women’s Day rally in Copenhagen in 2017.Credit.Nikolai Linares/Scanpix Denmark, via Agence France-Presse Getty Images
Dec. 17, 2020
Denmark toughened its rape law on Thursday by criminalizing sex without explicit consent, a long-awaited victory for assault survivors and human rights groups.
In order to bring a rape charge, the law previously required proof of violence, threat or evidence that the victim was unable to fend off the assault. But the new legislation broadens the definition.
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World Economic Forum’s
Global Gender Gap Report reveals that gender parity in the world stands at 68.6 percent. The disturbing fact is that out of 158 countries, Pakistan stands at 151
st (
i.e., among the worst 10 performers). It can be argued that with structurally endorsed gender-based violence (GBV), being a girl or a woman was never easy in Pakistan. However, Covid-19 has further aggravated this situation. GBV in Pakistan prevails across cultures, economic status and ethnicity.
Besides its health effects, Covid-19 has resulted in an economic strain with millions of women out of jobs, and much more helplessly trying to cope with a decline in their family income. Economic vulnerabilities weaken women’s position in society and make them further vulnerable to domestic violence, rape, workplace harassment, abuse and psychological health issues.