**European Court Overturns Ruling Blaming Woman for Lack of Sexual Relations in Divorce**

In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has overturned a French court decision that blamed a woman for the failure of her marriage due to her refusal to engage in sexual relations. The case revolves around a couple who had been married for nearly thirty years, with the woman identified only as H.W. The French Versailles Court of Appeals previously held that her lack of intimacy constituted a "serious and repeated violation" of her marital obligations. However, the ECHR argued that this interpretation violated her rights to personal autonomy and private life, including her sexual rights.

The ruling on January 24, 2025, represents a significant victory for women’s rights activists in France and beyond, who have long criticized marital laws that enforce traditional gender roles. The ECHR stated that the notion of obligatory sexual relations within marriage contradicts the principles of sexual freedom and bodily autonomy. The court emphasized that consent to marriage does not equate to consent for future sexual relations, thus reaffirming the necessity for consent in intimate relationships throughout one's marriage.

Activists view the decision as a crucial step toward combatting sexual violence and abuse, reinforcing the importance of consent in all aspects of relationships. This ruling might pave the way for broader reforms in marital laws across Europe, potentially shifting societal norms regarding expectations within intimate partnerships and addressing underlying issues related to women's rights.