These acts are common in places with significant gender inequality and are often fueled by misinterpretations of cultural or religious beliefs. If we ask the male family member who committed the act of violence about their motivation, they would say it was necessary to protect the family’s honor. This reflects deep-rooted cultural norms that value the family’s reputation over the individual’s rights.
Kinship Manifested in Violence: A Paradox
What is troubling about honor killings is that blood is both a symbol of kinship and a tool for violence. A paradox indeed! Blood ties are supposed to be the deepest bonds of love and protection, but at the same time, they can be twisted into a rationale for murder under the guise of preserving family honor. It baffles me how the same familial bond that nurtures and sustains life also becomes the justification for taking it away. The only explanation I managed to arrive at is that cultural norms can transform the intimate connection of blood into a means of control and upholding patriarchal values.
Unfortunately, there are numerous cases of honor killings in Middle Eastern communities. Some of these include the murder of Israa Ghrayeb in Palestine in 2019 by her family members for appearing in a social media post with her fiancé, the murder of a daughter by her father in Egypt in 2018 for having an affair, the brutal killing of Dua Khalil Aswad, stoned to death in 2007 by a mob including her relatives in Iraq for having an affair with a Sunni man, and the case of Iraqi-Kurdish Banaz Mahmod in the UK in 2006, killed by her family for leaving an abusive arranged marriage and starting a new relationship.
Legal consequences in these cases have shown inconsistency, revealing difficulties in prosecuting such crimes. In the cases of Israa and Banaz, their family members were convicted. In the case of the Egyptian daughter, her father received a life sentence. However, in Dua’s case, despite the murder being captured on video, only a few perpetrators were brought to justice. These cases show how the intimate bonds of family can be weaponized, leading to devastating consequences for individuals, particularly women and girls. In the absence of strong legal protection, women and girls would continue to be potential victims of those crimes. There should be a mechanism of accountability and justice to end these crimes.
Norms and Misinterpretations
Various societies strongly believe in patriarchal values, stemming from certain cultural norms and misinterpretations of religious texts, which prioritize family honor. These values enforce strict gender roles and control over women’s behavior, often justifying violence for the sake of restoring family reputation. Growing up in Yemen, a Muslim country, I was taught some Quranic verses and Hadith about modesty and family honor. Teachers and religious figures often interpret these teachings in a way that justifies violence against women.
However, mainstream Islamic teachings and scholars emphasize that honor killings are a severe misrepresentation of religious doctrine and are not condoned by Islam. Unfortunately, the prevalence of these misinterpretations leaves little room for understanding otherwise. Thus, honor killings are wrongly seen as acceptable or necessary to maintain social order.
Given these circumstances, women and girls often have no real option other than conforming to traditional norms to maintain social standing. Any resistance to societal pressure, rigid gender roles, and community expectations might lead to violence. Families feel intense pressure to control their daughters, sisters, or any female relatives to uphold perceived honor. Individuals also feel the need to preserve societal reputation over personal liberties, perpetuating honor killings.
Those who commit honor killings are often compelled by societal pressure to conform to traditional expectations and moral considerations, maintaining their family’s honor in the community’s eyes. The lack of widespread condemnation or opposition to honor killings perpetuates the status quo, making it tough to challenge these violent acts.
A Chance to Live Freely
I always thought I was lucky that I grew up with little influence of male members in my family. My parents separated when I was nearly 7 years old. That meant that my father left our home since my childhood. During those 7 years, he was kind to me and my sister but not to my mother and his sisters. Thank God I didn’t have a brother. After separation, my mother and father divorced a few years later. With that, there was no way for my father to control me, my sister, or my mother. The family’s reputation was still significant to my father.
Growing up in this environment, I was able to witness firsthand how the absence of strict patriarchal control can influence a woman’s life. My mother, sister, and I were able to live more freely without the constant fear of bringing shame to our family. This experience starkly contrasts with the harsh realities faced by many women in the Middle East who live under the oppressive weight of family honor.
Understanding my own relative freedom made me acutely aware of the severe restrictions placed on women in similar cultures, where any deviation from prescribed behavior can result in tragic consequences like honor killings. The way my life turned out has only deepened my empathy for the victims of honor-based violence and strengthened my resolve to advocate for change.
A Much-Warranted Change
The heartbreaking stories of Israa, Dua, Banaz, and others reveal how deeply ingrained cultural norms can twist familial love into a tool for control and violence. These cases underscore the urgent need for societal change and strong legal protections for women.
Given the scale of the issue, tackling honor killings requires a comprehensive approach. This strategy should operate on three levels: legal, social, and educational. Human rights groups stress that legal accountability and public awareness are key to ending honor killings. It’s not enough to just have laws on paper; governments must enforce strict penalties for those who commit these crimes and ensure cultural justifications are not accepted as excuses. Human Rights Watch points out that stronger legal frameworks and consistent enforcement can significantly reduce these incidents.
Laws protecting women’s rights are essential for deterring potential offenders and providing justice for victims. However, legal measures alone aren’t sufficient. Ongoing social efforts are also necessary. A holistic approach that combines legal action with education, public discussions, and support systems for women is crucial for making lasting changes.
Implementing educational programs that promote gender equality and challenge patriarchal norms is vital for shifting public perception. Advocacy groups play a crucial role in raising awareness and supporting victims. Collaborative efforts between NGOs, community leaders, and government bodies can drive cultural change and support victim rehabilitation.
The Outlook
Changing deeply ingrained beliefs that devalue women is no easy task. Honor killings, rooted in cultural traditions and misinterpretations of religious teachings, show the struggle between maintaining societal norms and protecting human rights. This tension presents a significant challenge for Arab communities and governments, as inconsistent legal responses highlight the difficulties in prosecuting these crimes effectively.
Human rights groups, such as Kafa in Lebanon, Nazra for Feminist Studies in Egypt, and others, are working tirelessly to pressure governments to reform laws and practices that enable honor killings. They push for stronger legal frameworks that align with global human rights standards. Implementing these reforms is crucial for safeguarding women’s rights and improving a country’s international reputation.
Efforts to eradicate honor killings are closely tied to broader movements for gender equality. Educational programs and community advocacy are vital in challenging patriarchal norms and changing public perceptions. These initiatives can gradually transform societal attitudes towards women’s rights, reducing the acceptance of such violence.
The prevalence and acceptance of honor killings vary across the Arab world, influenced by local cultural, religious, and legal factors. While some countries have made notable strides in legal reform and education, others continue to struggle with deeply entrenched norms resistant to change. This variation calls for tailored approaches that respect local contexts while aiming for universal human rights standards.
Given the complexity of honor killings in Arab culture, the solution would be complex as well. We must navigate a complex web of cultural, legal, and social factors. But remember, every step we take toward change and reform is a step toward saving lives. It’s a daunting journey, but one that we must undertake with courage, empathy, and unwavering commitment to justice.
