Women's Agency as Reason for Life Threats Among the Pashtuns in Pakistan: Narratives of Women Fleeing Honor Killing and Masculine Domination

Abstract

This article uses the narratives of survivors of honor killing to show that women's agency is the reason for life threats because it undermines masculine domination. The findings show that life threats are made against women engaging in behaviors not aligned to cultural norms as perceived by male members of their family, to escape shame and gossip, and it is a manifestation of men losing control over women. These survivors of honor-based violence have undermined masculine domination by acting in unanticipated ways and by fleeing to a shelter home in the face of overwhelming cultural sanctions and structural inequalities.

The tragic consequence of false honour: Understanding the phenomenon of “honour-killings” and its legal implications in Nepal

“…5 Recently, survivors of honour-based violence in Pakistan have challenged masculine dominance by running away to a shelter house in the face of severe social stigmas and structural disparities imposed by a patriarchal culture. 6…”

“…5 Recently, survivors of honour-based violence in Pakistan have challenged masculine dominance by running away to a shelter house in the face of severe social stigmas and structural disparities imposed by a patriarchal culture. 6 This violence is obviously biased against women. 7 A male (or even a female) family member, it is claimed, murders an accused female in order to restore their family's dishonoured pride.…”