Draft law could see men jailed for deceitful promises of marriage

Any man who cohabitates with or impregnates a woman after agreeing to marry her, but then fails to stand by the promise, could soon face prison terms if a draft law comes into effect. The Prevention of Violence against Women Law includes a clause that allows women to file a lawsuit if a man refuses to marry her after living with her or impregnating her on the understanding that they will eventually wed. The draft law is aimed at filling a perceived legislative gap in protecting women’s rights, and includes tough punishments for offenses like domestic abuse and rape. “If it is found that someone has intercourse with a woman by promising to marry her and then he fails or refuses to do so, he will be imprisoned between 3 to 5 years and will also be asked to pay a fine,” one of the legislation’s clauses stipulates. The draft adds that the terms of imprisonment increase from 5 to 7 years if the woman in question is pregnant. “We have received many reports from women complaining that they were cheated after being convinced to live together with a man who promised marriage,” said Daw Naw Thawar, director of the department of social welfare. 

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