“There is no honour in honour killings”
After a spate of honour killings in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, there are growing calls for an end to violence against women and girls.
Last weekend, a 21-year-old woman tragically died after she was allegedly set on fire by her husband. She was the ninth victim of fatal domestic violence this year in the region.
Meanwhile, a Kurdish transgender woman Doski Azad was shot dead by her brother in January, after she went into hiding following repeated death threats. Her body was found in a ditch outside of Duhok city, with her hands tied and two gunshot wounds.
KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said in a statement on Wednesday: “I’m deeply troubled by recent violence towards women in the Kurdistan Region. I reiterate what I have said; there’s no honour in honour killings.”
He added: “Nine innocent women have been taken from us by domestic violence this year. That’s nine young potential leaders stolen by unjustifiable abuse; nine families shattered, and nine murders in a society that should know better. This must stop.”
PM Barzani also said he was determined to “protect every woman, girl, and child from abuse.”
Qubad Talabani, the Deputy Prime Minister, also said: “It hurts me that in 2022 we still live in a society which includes men who think it is normal to threaten, hurt and kill women. Society's shameful inaction hurts even more.”
Perpetrators of gender-based violence frequently use the term ‘honour killing’ or ‘social dispute’ to justify murdering their mothers, sisters, daughters, or wives. Worryingly, Iraq also has the highest incidence of intimate-partner violence (IPV) in the world.
Our deepest sympathies rest with all of the victims’ families, and we will be redoubling our efforts to raise awareness of such evil crimes over the coming weeks. As ever, we will also continue to provide mental health support for the many female victims of domestic and GBV who regularly seek our help.
In addition, to tie in with International Women’s Day on March 8th, we will be conducting a series of activities to press for women’s rights and end to violence and abuse. We’ll bring you more on that soon…