Introduced on February 13, 2024, the proposed amendment to Sections 19, 363, and 364 of the Penal Code has sparked controversy by lowering the age of consent for girls from 16 to 14 and reducing the penalties for male offenders under 22. The opposition leader raised concerns, particularly from women’s groups, regarding the amalgamation of male and female rape under one section.
He argued that Section 363 should exclusively address crimes against women, while male rape is adequately covered under Section 365 B1. Criticizing the government’s disregard for women’s and children’s rights conventions, he emphasized the need for thorough consideration by all 225 parliament members.
Various stakeholders and experts advocating for gender equality urged the suspension of the proposed amendments and emphasized the importance of addressing pressing issues with appropriate amendments.
