The government should do more than raise awareness against honour killings
TURBAT: Honour killing is an act of violence that is often committed against women in our society. It is carried out by male relatives not only in matters of love marriages but even at times when a woman refuses to wed someone her family has chosen for her.
According to a recent report by Aurat Foundation, a non-governmental organisation working in the province of Balochistan to ensure the protection of women’s rights, around 50 people, of which 30 were women, have so far been killed by their relatives in the name of so-called honour and family feuds in the province in the current year. Nasirabad Division tops the list of honour killings.
However, it is not just the Baloch society where people, especially women, are killed in the name of honour. Various studies show that around 1,000 women are killed in Pakistan in the name of honour each year, for allegedly violating social norms. These figures are derived from reported cases while there are many killings that go unreported.
The government should do more than raise awareness against honour killings or enacting laws to curb the menace. The authorities need to sensitise people about an individual’s right to marriage, among other things. Awareness against honour killings should be at various levels such as university, school and home.
Since the scourge of honour killing prevails in many countries, including India and Bangladesh, we can join hands with our neighbours and devise a collective strategy to fight against the menace.
Zeeshan Nasir
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2018.
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