Exploring the boundaries of conjugal rights: marital rape as a criminal offence in Kenya
Date
2017
Authors
Nyabicha, Emma Nyaboke
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
In Kenya, marital rape is not recognized as a criminal offence. This dissertation therefore argues that criminalizing the act is not only a necessary but sufficient means of tackling the issue. The marital rape exemption in Kenya is a form of discrimination to the victims of the act as they do not have the necessary legal backing to tackle the issue. I shall therefore analyse the theories that have so far been used to uphold the marital rape exemption. This shall be followed by scrutinizing the necessity to criminalize marital rape from a human rights perspective. This research shall seek to tackle the challenges that continue to inhibit the criminalization of marital rape. I will argue that an examination of the wrongful gender stereotypes of married women is essential to create effective and holistic remedies and that wrongful gender stereotypes of married women violate their rights to equality and non-discrimination and the right to be free from violence.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws Degree at Strathmore University Law School
Keywords
Marital rape, Gender stereotypes, Conjugal right