KATHMANDU: A significant emphasis has been placed on the need to avoid criminalizing consensual sexual relations between minors of the same age group.

This topic was discussed during a session on proposed legal provisions concerning sexual relations among minors, organized by the Forum for Women, Law, and Development (FWLD) and the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR).

Advocate Naveen Kumar Shrestha, focal person of the discussion, emphasized that before passing the proposed “Romeo and Juliet” law, a broad and in-depth discussion is essential. He advocated for a law that reflects the evolving needs and times, urging that such legal measures should focus on decriminalization rather than criminalization.

Advocate Sabin Shrestha, Executive Director of FWLD, called for further studies to assess the utility of the proposed law in the Criminal Code. He pointed out that while some aspects of the proposed law are positive, there is a concern that it could increase the risk of girls being victimized in sexual relationships within specific age groups.

Pravina Bajracharya, Director of the Center for Reproductive Rights, explained that understanding the necessity of the Romeo and Juliet law was crucial. She argued that categorizing sexual relations within the same age group under criminal law would not address the real issue..

Advocate Roshana Pradhan from the Center for Reproductive Rights presented survey data conducted in Kathmandu, indicating that adolescents in school are becoming sexually active. Pradhan reiterated that laws should be based on international practices and court rulings to ensure consistency and alignment with global standards regarding sexual rights and protections.