ECHR Ruling Challenges Marital Consent Norms in France

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in favor of a 69-year-old French woman, identified as Ms. H.W., stating that her refusal to have sex with her husband should not have been grounds for blaming her in their divorce. This decision, which condemned France for violating her right to respect for private and family life, challenges the outdated concept of 'marital duty' and emphasizes consent in marriage. The case, which has been ongoing for nearly a decade, has sparked a broader debate in France about women's rights and the need to promote a culture of consent. Women's rights advocates see this as a pivotal moment in dismantling 'rape culture' and advancing equality in French law. The ruling, while having no impact on the finalized divorce, is expected to influence future legal interpretations and prevent similar rulings. The decision comes amid France's reflection on its approach to women's rights, following other high-profile cases that have prompted societal introspection.