<p>Government today said the concept of marital rape cannot be "suitably applied in the Indian context" due to factors like poverty, illiteracy and religious beliefs.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"It is considered that the concept of marital rape, as understood internationally, cannot be suitably applied in the Indian context due to various factors like level of education/ illiteracy, poverty, myriad social customs and values, religious beliefs, mindset of the society to treat the marriage as a sacrament etc.," Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.<br /><br />She was asked whether government plans to criminalise marital rape.<br /><br />Replying to another question, Gandhi said the scheme for universalisation of women helpline has been approved for implementation through states/UTs from April 1 last year to provide 24-hour emergency and non-emergency response to women affected by violence both in public and private sphere, including in family, community and workplace.<br /><br />"All the states/UTs have been requested to submit the proposals in order to release funds. Funds have been sanctioned/released to 33 states/UTs for setting up Women Helpline," she said.<br /><br />The ministry has also conceptualised an idea of women welfare committee in all districts of the country, however, no such proposal has been formulated so far.</p>
<p>Government today said the concept of marital rape cannot be "suitably applied in the Indian context" due to factors like poverty, illiteracy and religious beliefs.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"It is considered that the concept of marital rape, as understood internationally, cannot be suitably applied in the Indian context due to various factors like level of education/ illiteracy, poverty, myriad social customs and values, religious beliefs, mindset of the society to treat the marriage as a sacrament etc.," Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.<br /><br />She was asked whether government plans to criminalise marital rape.<br /><br />Replying to another question, Gandhi said the scheme for universalisation of women helpline has been approved for implementation through states/UTs from April 1 last year to provide 24-hour emergency and non-emergency response to women affected by violence both in public and private sphere, including in family, community and workplace.<br /><br />"All the states/UTs have been requested to submit the proposals in order to release funds. Funds have been sanctioned/released to 33 states/UTs for setting up Women Helpline," she said.<br /><br />The ministry has also conceptualised an idea of women welfare committee in all districts of the country, however, no such proposal has been formulated so far.</p>