We were deeply disappointed by the Attorney Generals recent statement indicating that the Davis Administration will not prioritize the Marital Rape Bill before the end of this term. This decision sends a troubling message about the government’s commitment to the protection of women’s rights and the fight against gender-based violence in The Bahamas.

Rape is a violation of an individual’s dignity, bodily autonomy, and human rights—regardless of the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. To suggest that criminalizing marital rape is not a priority undermines years of advocacy efforts and perpetuates a culture that dismisses the trauma and suffering of countless women who endure sexual violence within their marriages.

It is unacceptable for a modern democracy to uphold archaic laws that imply a marriage license nullifies a person’s right to consent. We urge the Davis Administration to reconsider its stance and take immediate steps to pass legislation that unequivocally protects all individuals, including married women, from sexual violence.

Failure to act now only delays justice for victims and contradicts the nation’s obligations under international human rights agreements. We stand in solidarity with survivors and advocates who continue to demand that the government prioritize the protection and dignity of all its citizens.

The time for action is now. Women’s rights should never be a matter of political convenience.