About Honour Killing « The Pixel Project

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What is Honour Killing?

An honour killing (also called a customary killing) happens when a person is murdered by a family member out of the belief or suspicion that the victim has brought shame to the family, clan or community. Murdering the person is believed to salvage the family’s honour.

Honour Killing – Some Key Facts

The United Nations Population Fund estimates that 5,000 women are victims of honour killings every year^[1].
Most honour killings of women occur in Muslim countries, although such murders are not sanctioned in Islamic religion or law.
Honour killings are likely most pervasive in Pakistan, where they are known as karo-kari. Women are treated as property whilst honour is so deeply entrenched in society, that the government often turns a blind eye to these honour killings^[2]. Instead, the murders are reported as suicides or accidents.
In a study of female murders in Alexandria, Egypt, 47% of the women were killed after the woman had been raped^[3].
In Jordan and Lebanon, 70-75% of the perpetrators of these honour killings were the women’s brothers^[4].
In some countries, men who carry out honour killings escape with lesser penalties. In Jordan, honour killings are sanctioned by the law^[2].
Teenage brothers are often selected to be the executioner as their sentences are generally lighter than those handed down to adults.

What leads to an Honour Killing?

Women and girls can become targets of honour killings when they are thought to have brought shame to the family. Situations include:

Being victims of rape
Refusing to marry someone chosen by their family (see Forced Marriage)
Engaging in premarital sex
Having an affair
Demanding a divorce, even in an abusive relationship
Talking or flirting with an unrelated male
Not following a strict dress code

It is important to note that even the suspicion of a transgression is reason enough to justify a killing.

Can you further explain the concept of ‘Honour’?

There is a deep-rooted belief in some cultures that women are mere objects and the property of male relatives. Their dignity and human rights are virtually non-existent. Thus, when a woman acts “out of line”, the authority and honour of the male is challenged and he feels the need to redeem his family’s honour.

If it’s clearly a murder, why don’t the authorities stop it?

Just like how bad habits are hard to break, it’s hard to realign deep-rooted beliefs. Officials in these countries often condone or ignore cases of violence against women, saying that it is a private matter. As a result, many honour killings go unreported and perpetrators face little, if any, punishment.

I would like to do something about Honour Killings. How can I help?

Glad you asked! Find out more here.

Would you like to know more about Honour Killings?

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it is a start. If you would like to find out more, go here.

About Honour Killing