In the News – A Spiritual Perspective January 30, 2012 Issue

Honor killings: A spiritual defense for women

By Monica Karal

Tunisian women demonstrate for their rights on November 2, 2011, in the Kasbah of Tunis. Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of the Islamist party that won Tunisia's elections, on October 28, 2011 reaffirmed Ennahda's "commitment to the women of Tunisia," pledging to uphold their social gains in an Arab country known for its progressive approach to gender equality.

“Honor” often refers to the perceived worthiness of a person, family, or group in the eyes of their community. A special good deed or accomplishment may be honored by one’s fellow citizens. There’s also another meaning to honor, often connected with specific beliefs within a family or culture. Keeping one’s word can be very important, for example. But in some cases, extreme conceptions of honor lead to violent crimes. 

“Honor killing” is a centuries-old practice in which the chastity and obedience of female family members is deemed so important to a family’s honor that disobedience is punished by murder, often by the victim’s relatives. 

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