جريمة الشرف أو جريمة الجبان؟

"Honor Killings" or "Cowards Killing"?

Addressing Root Causes and the Role of Media in Changing Societal Attitudes

Honor killings remain a pervasive and troubling issue worldwide. Thousands of women and girls are killed every year by family members or partners, often under the guise of protecting family honor. These crimes disproportionately affect women in Asia and Africa, where patriarchal norms and cultural attitudes perpetuate this horrifying practice. A multi-faceted approach is needed to address the root causes of the problem, and one crucial element in this endeavor is the role of the media.

Root Causes

"Honor killings" stem from deeply ingrained cultural and social norms that view women as property and symbols of family honor. This mindset often leads to victim-blaming, where women are held responsible for any perceived violation of family honor or moral values. Furthermore, legal authorities may turn a blind eye to these crimes, creating an environment that justifies and perpetuates this cycle of violence.

The consequences of honor killings extend beyond the tragic loss of life. Women and girls are forced to live in fear, undermining their self-esteem and mental well-being. They may be reluctant to report abuse or seek help due to potential repercussions, including further violence or even death. Additionally, the prevalence of "honor killings" may contribute to increased rates of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety among affected women and girls.

The Role of Media

The media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and perceptions around so-called "honor killings." Challenging the prevailing narratives around this phenomenon is key to shifting societal attitudes toward this type of violence. Words matter, which is why companies invest millions in brand perception. Instead of calling them "honor killings," the media should rebrand and start referring to them as "coward killings."

A similar success story involving rebranding to change perception can be seen in the tobacco industry. For years, cigarettes were marketed as glamorous, sophisticated, and appealing to a wide audience. However, as the negative health effects of smoking became more apparent, public perception changed. The media played a crucial role in this shift by consistently highlighting health risks and rebranding smoking as a harmful habit. This change in narrative and branding contributed to a significant decline in smoking rates and a shift in societal attitudes toward smoking.

In addition to rebranding, media coverage must focus on the broader context of honor killings, highlight the need for systemic change, and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes that may justify or glorify these crimes.

Another crucial aspect of the media's role is avoiding sensationalism. Sensationalist reporting can inadvertently have the opposite effect of its intended purpose. In some cases, media outlets, including alternative platforms, may focus on the victim's name and face while omitting the perpetrator. This approach can inadvertently glorify the crime and the killer while further harming the woman.

Instead, the media should emphasize the perpetrator's name and image, publicly shaming them for their heinous actions. By creating a culture that shames and stigmatizes killers, we can strip away the pride that often motivates these crimes. For example, creating a wall of killers' names and images for people to condemn and denounce them could serve as a powerful deterrent to potential criminals.

There are examples from around the world where media has made conscious efforts to shift the focus to perpetrators of such crimes. For instance, in India, following the brutal gang rape and murder of Jyoti Singh in 2012, the media widely reported the names and faces of the criminals, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice. Similarly, in Pakistan, media coverage of the killing of social media star Qandeel Baloch by her brother in an alleged honor killing led to public outrage and ultimately resulted in a life sentence for the perpetrator.