French Court Overturns Divorce Ruling Blaming Wife for Lack of Sex
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) overturned a French court’s decision blaming a woman, Ms. H.W., for her divorce due to lack of sexual relations with her husband. The ECHR ruled this violated Ms. H.W.’s right to respect for private and family life, citing a lack of justification for such interference in her sexuality. This decision, celebrated by Ms. H.W. and women’s rights groups, is expected to significantly impact French law, preventing future similar rulings. While not altering the divorce itself, the ruling rejects the concept of a marital duty to engage in sexual relations.
John Q. Hosedrinker