What is this thing we call honour, well simply put it is an abstract concept, but drilling down to the base of it it is, the perceived worthiness and respectability that affects the social standing and self evaluation of an individual. People in certain societies are assigned stature based on the relationship between their actions with a specific code of honour and the moral code of the society at large. It is strange then to hear about these so- called honour killings, I am horrified that any society could let this happen, how does killing someone comply with the society's moral code?
Honour killing are not only confined to East Asia as it also occurs in countries such as Italy, Egypt, Syria, Jordon, France, German, the US and even in the UK, although they are not widely reported, so to get an accurate account would be difficult. Women are more vulnerable to fall victim to this as it can often be a way for men to control female sexuality in a culture that puts a greater value on honour that what is deemed to be right.
Honour Based Violence (HBV) can come in various forms but are equally shocking than the next. They include the following:
- Verbal threats
- Forced abortions
- Abduction
- Murder
- Sexual abuse
- Abandonment overseas
- Physical violence and
- Forced marriages
All of these can be seen as a way to control behaviour, to make a person do things that you want them to do. In essence it is a way of taking away an individuals free will and in turn their identity. And without identity who are we? As a society we have a responsibility to change things for the good of everyone.
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