Honour Based Violence

By Karuna Bhardwaj and Akhilesh Singh

Abstract

Honour-based violence is fundamentally different from domestic violence or other violence against women. Honour crimes are crimes of violence or other forms of abuse committed to protect the so-called "honor" of a family or community. The "code of honour" it refers to is set by the male relatives of the family, and women who break the rules are punished for bringing shame to the family. Violence against women and girls includes domestic violence, rape and sexual crimes, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, forced prostitution, child abuse and pornography. It also includes honor violence and forced marriage, which go hand in hand. Honor killings are considered an extreme form of honor violence, but abuse and violence against women can be extreme without or before murder.

Introduction

Honour-based violence (HBV) is a type of violence that is committed in the name of protecting or restoring the honour of a family, community, or religion. It is a form of domestic violence that is rooted in cultural and traditional beliefs, particularly in patriarchal societies where the honour of the family or community is considered to be closely linked to the behavior and actions of its female members.

HBV can take various forms, including physical violence, emotional abuse, forced marriage, genital mutilation, and even murder. Victims of HBV are often women or girls who have allegedly violated a perceived cultural or religious norm, such as refusing to marry a chosen partner, dressing in a way that is deemed immodest, or engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage.

HBV is a global issue, but it is particularly prevalent in certain regions of the world, such as South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. It is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires a comprehensive approach involving education, awareness-raising, legal and policy reform, and support for victims and survivors.

Causes of Honour Based Violence

The causes of honour-based violence are complex and multifaceted and often vary according to different cultural, religious and social contexts. But some of the more common factors include:

Patriarchal Beliefs and Gender Inequality: Honour-based violence is often rooted in patriarchal beliefs and norms, where the honor of a family or community is closely tied to the behavior and actions of its female members. It reinforces gender inequality and can lead to violence and control over women's bodies and actions.

Cultural and traditional beliefs: HBV is often justified on the basis of cultural and traditional beliefs, which may include ideas about family honour, shame and purity. These beliefs can lead to harmful practices such as forced marriages, female genital mutilation and honour killings. Intergenerational conflicts: HBV can result from intergenerational conflicts, especially when younger generations challenge traditional cultural and religious beliefs and practices.

Social pressure and stigma: Social pressure and stigma can also play a role in HBV, especially when people are perceived to have caused shame or embarrassment to their family or community. This can lead to isolation, rejection and even violence.

Lack of legal and social protection: Lack of legal and social protection for HBV victims can also contribute to its spread. In some cultures, honour-based violence is not criminalized, and victims may have additional challenges in seeking support and protection. It is important to note that these factors are not mutually exclusive and often intersect to form a complex causal network that perpetuates honour-based violence.

Honour killing: A Crime

Honor killing is a crime and a serious violation of human rights. It involves killing a person, usually a woman, who is believed to have brought shame or dishonor to her family or community. Honor killings are often planned and planned, and are carried out by family members or community members who believe their actions are justified.

In many countries, including countries where honor killings are common, such as South Asia and the Middle East, it is recognized as a crime under national laws and international human rights standards. Governments and societies must recognize honor killings as a serious crime and take effective measures to prevent and respond to this violence. Those convicted of honor killings can face severe legal punishment, including prison terms or the death penalty. It is also important to provide support and protection to victims and their families, who often face significant challenges and risks when dealing with crime.

Eradicating honor killings requires a comprehensive approach that includes law and policy reform, education and awareness-raising, and support for victims and survivors. By promoting gender equality, challenging patriarchal attitudes and providing effective legal and social protection, we can work to end honor killings and ensure that all people can live free from violence and discrimination.

Honour Killing in India

Honour killings in India are a serious problem and have been reported across the country, especially in rural areas where patriarchal and conservative attitudes prevail. Honour killings are often carried out against women who are believed to have brought shame to their family or community through actions such as marrying outside their caste or religion, having premarital sex, or refusing an arranged marriage.

India's National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) started recording honour killing cases in 2014 and in its latest report of 2019 reported 32 cases of honour killings across the country. However, the actual number of cases is likely to be much higher because many cases are unreported and reliable data is lacking.

Honour killing is a crime in India and those convicted of the crime can face severe legal punishment, including imprisonment or the death penalty. The Indian government has also taken steps to address the issue, such as creating special units to investigate and prevent honour killings and provide support to victims and their families.

Despite these efforts, honour killings continue to occur in India, often due to persistent conservative and patriarchal attitudes that view women as property and limit their freedom and autonomy. Addressing this problem requires a comprehensive approach that includes legal and policy reform, education and awareness-raising, and support for victims and survivors.

Conclusion

Honor violence (HBV) is a serious form of violence that violates basic human rights and often targets women and girls. HBV is rooted in patriarchal and conservative attitudes that seek to control women's behavior and actions, often supported by cultural and traditional beliefs related to family honor, shame and purity.

Addressing HBV requires a comprehensive approach that includes law and policy reform, education and awareness, and support for victims and survivors. Governments and societies must recognize HBV as a serious crime and take effective measures to prevent and respond to this violence. Only by challenging patriarchal attitudes and promoting gender equality can we hope to end this harmful practice and create a safer and more just world for all.