More than 120 members of parliament supported the cross-party bill, which will now be debated in the Senate. “By allowing such a right or duty to persist, we are collectively giving our approval to a system of domination and predation by husband on wife. Marriage cannot be a bubble in which consent to sex is regarded as definitive and for life,” said the bill’s sponsor, Green MP Marie-Charlotte Garin.

France’s civil code currently lists four duties linked to marriage fidelity, support, assistance and cohabitation, but makes no mention of a sexual obligation. However, older court rulings have sometimes interpreted cohabitation as meaning a “shared bed,” allowing the concept of marital duty to persist in practice.

The issue drew renewed attention after a 2019 case in which a man was granted a divorce because his wife had stopped having sex with him.

Last year, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of the woman, stating that a wife who refuses sex should not be considered “at fault” in divorce proceedings.

The bill comes as France continues to update its laws around sexual violence . In 2024, the country adopted the principle of consent in its legal definition of rape, following similar reforms in countries such as Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.

"Almost 20% of our patients are sex workers, or people who say they've been infected but have been in contact with an occasional partner who happens to be a sex worker. So this category is quite vulnerable and very exposed, and it's important that they be vaccinated," Dr Daily told AFP.

The nature of sex work complicates efforts to trace and treat the disease, as many individuals are reluctant to disclose their illness. “No one wanted to say she was ill,” said Alice, a local sex worker. “If I'm infected, I hide so others don't know, and vice-versa.”

As the outbreak grows, health officials are calling for targeted interventions to support the affected community.

The penalty for the offence of harassment under the old law ranged from 6 months to 5 years of imprisonment, accompanied by a fine that could reach up to 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($ 1,618), Egyptian Streets reports.

Under the amended provisions, the first paragraph of the article stipulates that individuals engaging in sexual or obscene insinuations in public or private spaces can face imprisonment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years. Alternatively, they may incur a fine ranging from a minimum of EGP100,000 ($3,233) to a maximum of EGP 200,000 ($6,466), or a combination of both penalties.

This comprises actions involving sexual or pornographic suggestions through gestures, words, or deeds, using various communication methods such as wired, wireless, electronic, or any other technological means.

The second paragraph of the article outlines a punishment of imprisonment for a period not less than three years and not exceeding five years, accompanied by a fine of no less than EGP 200,000 ($6,466) and not exceeding EGP 300,000 ($ 9,708)

These penalties may be applied if the offence occurs in the workplace, on public transportation, involves two or more individuals, if the perpetrator is carrying a weapon, or if the act is repeated through the pursuit and stalking of the victim. Where two or more aggravating circumstances are present, the minimum prison sentence becomes four years. In instances of recurrence, both imprisonment and fine penalties are doubled within their respective minimum and maximum limits.

Research conducted by UN Women in 2013 under the theme “Study on Ways and Methods to Eliminate Sexual Harassment in Egypt” concluded that “over 99.3 % of Egyptian girls and women surveyed reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime.” Further, “82.6 percent of the total female respondents did not feel safe or secure in the street. The percentage increased to 86.5 percent with regard to safety and security in public transportation.”

Experts attribute the surge to various factors, including poor sex education, conservative societal attitudes, and the influence of online dating and social media platforms. The ease of finding sexual partners through digital means has inadvertently fueled infections over the past decade.

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent easing of restrictions have contributed to increased sexual activity, but unfortunately, this has not been met with a proportional rise in condom usage or the use of prophylaxis drugs for infection prevention.

Ignorance about HIV remains a significant hurdle. A 2021 sexual health study revealed that over a third of young Filipinos aged 15 to 24 did not believe that using condoms could reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. Additionally, awareness about HIV and AIDS has dipped to 76 percent among young Filipinos, the lowest level since 1994.

Efforts to address the issue include a family planning law initiated in 2013, which mandates sex education in schools and the distribution of free condoms. However, obstacles persist, such as the requirement for parental permission for those under 18 to receive condoms.

Deep-seated cultural beliefs also contribute to the challenges. The societal stigma associated with sex impedes open discussions about sexual health, leaving many young Filipinos ill-informed.

HIV-positive individuals, especially the youth, face discrimination, leading to depression and, tragically, suicide in some cases. Even those attempting to practice safe sex encounter barriers, such as identification requirements or ridicule when purchasing condoms.

The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has set a global goal to end AIDS as a health threat by 2030. However, the Philippines, with its 418 percent increase in new HIV cases from 2010 to 2022, faces a daunting challenge.

With only 63 percent of HIV-positive Filipinos aware of their status and 41 percent on medication, there is a critical need for more testing and treatment centers, particularly in rural areas. Overcoming societal stigmas, fostering open discussions about sex, and intensifying awareness campaigns are crucial steps toward curbing the HIV epidemic in the Philippines.

The journey to destigmatize HIV and empower those affected is a collective responsibility that requires a united front from communities, educational institutions, and healthcare providers.