A Comprehensive Analysis of Honor Killing Practices in Pakistan: Contributing Factors, Legal Frameworks, and Intervention Strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24252/al-daulah.v14i1.57485Keywords:
Honor killing, Karo-Kari, Gender-based violence, Women's rights, Law enforcementAbstract
Research Objective: This study examines women's rights and honor killings in Pakistan, focusing on factors causing gender-based violence, especially the Karo-Kari practice in Sindhi culture. Research Methodology: The research uses qualitative analysis through literature review and secondary data from academic journals, legal documents, news reports, and human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. It applies purposive sampling and thematic analysis with data triangulation for accuracy. Results: The study identifies interconnected factors driving honor killings: patriarchal families, arranged marriages, property disputes, poor education, religious misinterpretations, poverty, rigid social structures, and weak law enforcement. Findings and Implications: Honor killings involve both cultural and economic motives, particularly property consolidation. Poor education allows distorted religious justifications. Gender subordination creates violence-supporting ideologies. Despite legal improvements like the 2016 Act removing family forgiveness options, enforcement remains weak due to corruption and inadequate investigations. Conclusion: Honor killing is complex, requiring comprehensive intervention addressing cultural, economic, educational, and institutional factors together. Prevention needs coordinated legal reform, education, economic development, and cultural change programs. Contribution: This research connects historical legal changes to current honor-based violence, showing links between economic hardship and gender violence while highlighting NGO roles in prevention. Limitations and Suggestions: The study relies only on secondary data. Future research should include interviews with survivors, families, and community leaders. Longitudinal studies evaluating intervention effectiveness and comparative analysis across Pakistani provinces would improve understanding and create better prevention strategies.
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