‘A white dress doesn’t cover rape’ Marry-your-rapist law repealed

"For us it’s the start," said Ghida Anani, founder and director of Abaad – a women’s rights group in Lebanon – this week, following the news that parliament had voted to repeal a law which exonerated rapists as long as they marry their victims.

The hugely controversial law, which has been protested against for years, suspends criminal responsibility if the violator marries the victim of his abhorrent crime.

If the violator refuses to adhere to Article 522, he will face up to seven years in prison.

The law has been the subject of much debate, with proponents arguing that it allows the victim and her family to retain some semblance of honour, while opponents highlighted the further torment the law places upon the victim.

Speaking to The New York Times, Ghida explained the impact the vote has had thus far, saying: "It’s the first step to changing the mind-set and traditions."

"Now the awareness and behavioural campaign will start to make women aware that it’s no longer an option: He cannot escape punishment," 

Abaad has, for years, dedicated time and effort into creating a campaign which highlights the inhumanity of such a law, with explicit billboards in Beirut captioned: "A white dress doesn’t cover up rape."

A number of other Arab countries have allowed rapists to marry their victims in order to avoid prison.