Leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Branville McCartney yesterday declared that his party supports women's rights, a day after he told a talk show host that a Marital Rape Bill would not be passed under his administration if the DNA wins the upcoming general election. The Marital Rape bill was proposed by the governing Free National Movement (FNM) in 2009 and later withdrawn after heavy public criticism. McCartney said because the issue is so divisive, the bill should not be passed without further study on how it would impact society. "I was a Cabinet member when this legislation was first introduced, and I saw first hand how divisive this would be to the country," he said. "Re-education to build awareness is required before making decisions that affect our country's Christian values. "We can no longer rush legislation because of international pressure without considering how it would affect our society." He added: "There is still the possibility of compromise for marital rape accusations where the couple is separated, not living in the same home or if one spouse has a sexually transmitted disease." McCartney resigned from Cabinet in 2010, then from the governing party in early 2011 and later formed the DNA. On Tuesday, he told talk show host Erin Ferguson that because rape within a marriage is so hard to prove and because a married couple is considered 'one', he does not support the passage of a Marital Rape law. "I don't think it should be illegal. I maintain that. I don't think there should be an act or law for raping a spouse," McCartney said. He said his stance on the controversial issue will not hurt the DNA in the next election. He added that the DNA is open to a discussion with women's rights groups and religious leaders on the issue. Under the FNM's proposed bill, marital rape would have become a crime. It would have meant that a spouse could be sentenced to prison time, even on a first offense, as with other kinds of rape. The bill caused a firestorm and many religious leaders accused the government of trying to interfere in marriages. Minister of State for Social Development Loretta Butler-Turner said she would push for the bill to be reintroduced in Parliament if the FNM is re-elected.

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