These rules apply to you, whether you are in a relationship, are engaged or married. These rules can also apply to your relationship with your siblings and parents.
The right
NEVER to be physically attacked, psychologically degraded or verbally abused by anyone
The right
to leave the relationship or ask for divorce
The right
not to be humiliated, judged or be demanded dowry.
The right
to continue with my education or job.
The right
to leave the house whenever I please and not have to ask permission.
The right
not to be used as a personal slave or nurse for in-laws.
The right to
be treated with respect by my in-laws – physically, emotionally and verbally.
The right to
have complete autonomy over my job, education, earned income and other possessions.
The right to
equally involved with my partner in all decisions and responsibilities pertaining to my relationship, money, children, home and future.
The right
to have friendship with whomever I choose, be it a man or woman.
The right to
have my opinions and feelings respected the same way as his would be.
The right to
express my physical and emotional needs and desires, without being judged for it.
The right to
use contraception and not to be blamed for not bearing a child or son.
The right to
have my emotional, physical, intellectual and economic needs be given the same level of importance as his.
The right to
receive the same level of commitment from my partner as I put in myself to make the relationship work, i.e. compromises and sacrifices.
The right to
not be held responsible for my partner’s behaviour.
The right to
seek help from a professional regarding any aspect of my life.
The right to
be believed and not suspected of ‘making up stories’ or ‘exaggerating’ by family, friends, in-laws or professionals.
The right to
not be blamed if the relationship breaks down. It is not just the responsibility of the woman to ‘make it work’.