Abstract:
Marital rape is spousal rape or an act of sexual intercourse with one's spouse without the
spouse's consent. It is one of the global issues and problems of many married women in the
world. In tackling the problem there are different international instruments like DEVAW,
CEDAW, Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of
Women, and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR). The objective of this study
was to explore the attitude and perception of the society on marital rape in Western Dembiya
Woreda Chuwahit town and the legal gaps in domestic laws on marital rape. The Study
participants were married women, respected elders, and lawyers of Western Dembiya Woreda
Chuwahit town. Data was collected through questionnaires and key informant interviews. Mixed
(Qualitative and quantitative) data analyses were employed.this study attempts to fill the gap in
the existing body of knowledge by assessing the real problem in the area by showing what is the
perception of the society towards the internationally prohibited act of marital rape.
The study found out that marital rape is prevalent and big problem in the area.The study also
found out that the socity of western dembiya worda didn’t have any knowlage about marital
rape.
One of the objective of the study was to asses the legal gape of domestic laws in marital rape so
based on the study founding there is legal gape in domestic laws and there is contradiction
between domestic laws and international human right instrument.The study sought possible
recommendations for the Ethiopian legislatures about the need of criminalization of marital
rape. Giving awarnes about the effect of marital rape to the socity is one of the recommendation
the study sujested.
