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'Honour killings' threaten women in Pakistan following devastating floods
Pakistan is already ranked as the second worst country in the world for gender equality. Now there are fears so-called honour killings will go unreported as the country tries to recover from catastrophic floods.
Published 17 September 2022 6:31am
By Aaron Fernandes
Source: SBS News
Image: Police Inspector Saba Mirza (SBS News / SBS/Aaron Fernandes)
For nearly four decades, Ghotki District Police Inspector Saba Mirza has dedicated her life to investigating violent crimes against women, including murder, rape and so-called honour killings, known locally in the Sindhi language as Karo-Kari.
On the surface, Inspector Mirza carries herself with a warmth and generosity of spirit that bears no trace of the horrors she’s seen during her career. Now in charge of a district-level women’s protection unit in Pakistan’s Sindh province, she is clear and outspoken about the reasons behind the violence faced by some women in this part of Pakistan.
“Poverty is high. The second problem is they consider women as being of a lower standard. They don’t value women here in this area. For petty things, men will be suspicious of them. And that results in honour killings,” she says.
Ghotki district Women’s Protection Unit office. Credit: Aaron Fernandes, SBS News
“It could be something as trivial as a ringtone on their mobile phone, or standing out in a field on their own,” Inspector Mirza says.
It could be something as trivial as a ringtone on their mobile phone, or standing out in a field on their own.Saba Mirza, Police Inspector
More than 470 cases of honour killings were reported across the country in 2021, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, but the actual figure could be more than double. According to local women's rights organisation Sindh Suhai Sath, around 176 people, women and men, died in honour killings during the same year in Sindh province.
Ghotki District Police Inspector Saba Mirza. Credit: Aaron Fernandes, SBS News
While many religious groups in Pakistan - including the powerful Council of Islamic Ideology - which called the move "un-Islamic", opposed the changes to the law, the bill was passed by the country’s parliament only months later with wide public support.
Waseem had openly admitted to strangling his sister, saying her social media presence was 'intolerable'. He received a life sentence for the crime, but it was widely reported in February he was acquitted. The BBC reported his lawyer said Waseem had retracted his confession and his parents had called for his release.
Underreporting of Karo-Kari, as well as other forms of gender-based violence was already a major problem in Pakistan. But while inspector Mirza believes the frequency of honour killings in her community has reduced overall since the tightening of the laws, she now fears that months of rain and flooding across Pakistan will see even fewer violent crimes being reported.
The floods, which submerged a third of the country, have led to the deaths of more than 1,400 people and left millions homeless. People are now having to deal with water-borne diseases.
“The women don’t come [to report violence perpetrated against them]. How would they come? Because water is so high, rains are so high, so they can’t come,” Inspector Mirza says.
“Also, they have problems with transportation. How can they come? It has made a major difference, as coming here has become difficult for them.”
Ghotki District Deputy Superintendent of Police Hafiz Abdul Qadir Chachar
In one incident more than ten years ago, a dispute over money in a village in rural Pakistan turned into a gunfight, and Naazan Bozdar was shot trying to protect her brother. The bullet is still lodged in her back.
“I was with my brother when the fighting started. I was with him when they attacked him. So I jumped in the way to try to shield him. And the bullet hit me in the process,” she says.
She survived, but her brother was allegedly killed, and a local woman was murdered in retribution to restore honour.
Naazan Bozdar was shot trying to protect her brother. Credit: Aaron Fernandes, SBS News
CARE Pakistan Country Director Adil Sheraz says the usual social structures have fallen away in affected areas.
“When disasters like this hit, we know from experience that it’s women, girls and other marginalised groups who face the biggest challenges, including access to humanitarian assistance.”
“With entire villages washed away, families broken up and many people sleeping under the sky, the usual social structures that keep people safe have fallen away, and this can be very dangerous for women and girls.”
A camp of displaced people on the outskirts of Ghotki town. Credit: Aaron Fernandes, SBS News
Local police are helping aid organisations to deliver food, tents and clean water, providing security to avoid surges on the limited resources.
For now, Ghotki District deputy superintendent of police Hafiz Abdul Qadir Chachar says for the moment, the local police station has not seen an increase in reports of violence against women. But he says with roads closed and so many people displaced, they’re remaining vigilant.
“There is no such threat at the moment. However, the threat does not warn you before it arrives.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
The Men’s Referral Service provides advice for men on domestic violence and can be contacted on 1300 766 491.
