Honour Killings and Forced Marriage

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, August 20, 2021

by Mishal Zia 

Recent Year 2021, the world continued to witness the deadly consequences of honour-based violence and forced marriage, particularly affecting women who resist family-imposed restrictions on marriage and autonomy.

One high-profile case that drew international attention involved Saman Abbas, an 18-year-old woman in Italy of Pakistani descent who went missing in April 2021. She had refused to accept a family-arranged marriage and intended to marry a man of her own choice. Authorities feared she had been killed in an honour-based attack by family members, highlighting the extreme risks faced by women who challenge traditional family expectations. Her disappearance sparked protests and demands for stronger protections against forced marriages and honour violence.

In Scotland, reports emerged of Fawziyah Javed, a British-Pakistani lawyer who had faced domestic abuse and was reportedly planning to separate from her husband. In September 2021, she died after falling from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh under suspicious circumstances. Investigations were ongoing at the time, drawing attention to the lethal dangers that can arise when women attempt to assert independence within patriarchal family structures.

These incidents, along with numerous under-reported cases across Europe and Asia, underline the persistent threat of honour-based violence in 2021. Forced marriage remains a criminal offence in many countries, yet cultural pressures and fear of reprisal often prevent victims from seeking help.

I also learned of a tragic incident within my own social circle. In 2021, the cousin of a friend was brutally murdered by her father because she wanted to marry the man of her choice. According to witnesses, her father attacked her with an axe, killing her at the scene. The case shocked the community, illustrating the extreme consequences of family-imposed control and honour-based violence in private households.

Another disturbing incident occurred in a nearby village. A man killed his wife in a fit of rage. After the murder, he attempted to conceal his crime by arranging her body on the bed and pretending she had died suddenly of natural causes. He displayed public grief, which initially misled neighbours. However, one observant individual noticed unusual details and contacted the authorities. The case was under investigation in 2021, and local discussions highlighted concerns over inadequate punishments and systemic failures in addressing domestic and honour-based violence.

The events of 2021, both reported and unreported, illustrate the ongoing dangers of honour-based violence and forced marriage. Women who exercise agency over their marital and personal choices often face extreme risks from family members and community pressures. These cases underscore the urgent need for stronger protections, social awareness, and legal action to prevent further tragedies.