English
English
English
Kathmandu: The Balen Shah government in Nepal is moving forward with plans to amend the country’s rape laws, introducing a proposed 'Romeo-Juliet Clause' aimed at protecting consensual teenage relationships.
Under the proposed amendment, sexual activity between teenagers aged 16 to 18 would not automatically be considered rape if the age difference is within three years and the relationship is consensual. However, strict penalties would still apply in cases involving coercion, force, or sexual exploitation.
Currently, Nepalese law defines any sexual activity involving a person under 18 as rape, regardless of consent, while the legal age for marriage is 20. Critics argue that this framework has led to numerous cases in which teenage boys faced imprisonment for consensual relationships, often due to family opposition or inter-caste dynamics.
Distinguishing Consent from Exploitation
Law Secretary Uday Raj Dhungana emphasized that the reforms aim to differentiate between exploitation and natural adolescent relationships. “The government’s objective is not to weaken the rape laws, but to recognize the distinction between coercion and consensual teenage relationships,” he said.
The proposed law would allow exemptions for teenagers with an age difference of up to three years, while preserving criminal penalties for cases involving larger age gaps or abusive circumstances.
Families’ Misuse of Current Law
Senior Advocate Mira Dhungana highlighted that existing laws are sometimes misused by families to break up relationships. “We have seen cases where the law was used to punish young couples rather than protect minors,” she said.
Social activist Samiksha Karki welcomed the reform, noting that consensual adolescent relationships should not automatically be criminalized. She stressed the importance of distinguishing mutual consent from exploitation.
As debates continue, Nepal is also discussing whether to lower the legal marriage age from 20 to 18, a proposal that has sparked divided public opinion.
The government hopes that the new ‘Romeo-Juliet Law’ will create a more balanced legal framework that protects minors from abuse while respecting the natural relationships of adolescents.
