Bhutan’s parliament on Friday amended various sections of the penal code to increase the punishment in cases involving rape, rape of children, and pregnant women in the country. 

Rape of a married person or a pregnant woman would now draw a prison sentence ranging between five to nine years. Currently, the sentence period ranges from three to five years. Additionally, in the case of rape of a pregnant woman, if the fetus is harmed in the act, the victim will be eligible for alimony. 

The parliament also increased punishment for statutory rape to a life sentence in prison if the defendant falls under the following three categories: a) the defendant in a position of trust or authority towards the child,  b) the child is in a relationship of dependency with the defendant, c) the defendant is in a relationship with a child that is exploitative to him. 

In other cases of statutory rape, where the defendant doesn’t fall under the above categories, the punishment will be more than 15 years in prison. 

Between 2009-2020, Bhutan recorded 372 cases of child rape while 30 others of attempted child rape.