Honor Violence: A Hidden War on Women
Despite progress in education and the rise of women’s rights movements advocating for freedom and autonomy, honor-based violence continues to destroy dreams and ambitions.
By Mirna Fahmy
What is Honor Killing/Violence?
Honor violence is rooted in patriarchal traditions, where social order is maintained through the control of women’s behavior, particularly their sexuality. The enforcement of gender roles places men as the guardians of family reputation, making women’s conduct—especially regarding chastity and obedience—a measure of male and familial honor.
The so-called “feminine honor code” emphasizes female sexual purity, modesty, and deference. Nonconformity is policed within families and broader social groups, leading to various forms of violence or control when women are perceived to breach these expectations.
Sources: EBSCO, National Library of Medicine, Gettysburg College
When and Where Did Honor Violence Start?
Honor violence, including honor killings, is one of the oldest forms of gender-based violence documented in human history. It dates back thousands of years and has roots in ancient legal systems and social structures that predate modern societies.
Though this cultural notion did not arise from a single origin, it was developed independently in multiple ancient communities where patriarchy and the control of female sexuality were central to social order. Some of the earliest documented sources and examples include Ancient Assyria where the Assyrian Code of Assura (circa 1075 BCE) included provisions allowing male family members to punish or kill female relatives for acts perceived as violating chastity or sexual propriety. In Ancient Rome there was a Roman law, under the principle of pater familias, gave senior male relatives the legal right to kill daughters or wives accused of adultery or unacceptable behavior. During the Qing dynasty of Ancient China (17th–19th centuries), fathers had the right to execute daughters deemed to have dishonored the family. These brutal traditions were also present among the Aztecs, Incas and in medieval Europe, and under early Jewish law.
Sources: EBSCO, Department of Justice in Canada, The Times of Israel, Cambridge Scholars.
In Our Modern Era:
Despite advances in education and science, honor-based violence against women and girls continues globally. Women should have the freedom to make their own choices, yet cases of such violence are still reported daily. These incidents are often linked to Muslim-majority countries, leading to the misconception that Islam promotes this behavior. However, many studies and experts emphasize that honor violence stems from deep-rooted cultural traditions, not religion.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations sources, an estimated 5,000 women and girls are killed each year in the name of honor, though the true number is likely much higher due to underreporting, misclassification, and cover-ups. These killings are documented in both Muslim and Hindu communities, particularly in South Asia—including Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh—as well as in Kurdish regions of Iraq and Turkey, and countries like Iran, Jordan, and Egypt. The issue is not limited to one faith or region; cases have also emerged among Sikh and Christian communities, and within immigrant populations in Europe and North America.
For example, Pakistan officially reports around 1,000 honor killings annually, though activists suggest many more go unrecorded. In Iran, at least 133 women were reported killed in one year alone, with many more likely hidden by families or authorities.
The 2018 documentary “Doomed Generations” by Logan Boubady highlights this issue through the story of Anjaly, a young woman forced into an arranged marriage without her consent. Her case illustrates how cultural pressure and fear of family dishonor can strip women of their agency—even in today’s world.
Sources: Oxford Academic, Middle East Forum, Tahrir Justice Center.
Centers for Help:
Around the world, various initiatives have emerged to combat honor-based violence in marginalized communities, focusing on culturally specific advocacy, prevention, and survivor support. These programs combine legal reform, education, community engagement, and empowerment.
In the U.S., organizations like the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network, and Ujima, Inc. offer culturally relevant services tailored to Asian, Latino, and Black communities, respectively. Though U.S.-based, these models inform global approaches. Community-Based Violence Intervention (CVI) programs in urban areas across the U.S. and Europe work directly with those at risk, while initiatives like the Prevention Through Liberation Project in Oregon engage communities using anti-oppression frameworks rooted in lived experience.
Research from countries like Turkey underscores the importance of structural reforms—strengthening legal systems, promoting gender equality, and addressing socioeconomic drivers of violence. Some nations, such as Sweden and Turkiye, have seen progress through multidisciplinary strategies and enhanced victim support. In the U.S., culturally specific efforts have improved service access, awareness, and reporting. Still, many survivors face stigma and social isolation, making community-led, empowerment-based approaches essential for lasting change.
Sources: National Resource Center, Prevention Through Liberation, Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research, Sage Journals, Scandinavian University Press.
“I do not even wish to use the phrase honor killing; there is not the faintest vestige of honor in killing a woman in this way.”
– Navanethem Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights,
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