2012
People’s Development
Association (PDA)
Women’s Program
+964 0533194727
www.xelik.org
NOT FOR HONOR KILLING IN
THE NAME OF TRADITION
OR CULTURE
The first two months of 2012 seen an escalation in the number of reported cases of violence
against women in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Eighteen (18) cases have been reported in the
Bishder and Betwen regions of Suleimaniya in January and February 2012.
‫‪Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 2‬‬
‫‪Poem to Fadime Sadinhal and Maria Barin‬‬
‫‪By: Jamal Khambar‬‬
‫ماریا ‪،‬‬
‫ئەگەر فاتیمەت بینی پێی بڵێ ؛‬
‫! هێشتا لێرەن ‪ ،‬ژنکوژەکان بە چەقۆوە هێشتا لێرە ڕاوەستاون‬
‫پێی بڵێ ؛ هێشتاکە‬
‫‪ .‬ئەم تاریکییە ‪ ،‬ئەم کوشتنە هەموو وەرزێک ئێمە ئەخوات‬
‫بە فاتیمە بڵێ ؛‬
‫ئەم زەمینە لە گۆرانییەکەوە ئەچێ بۆ گۆرانییەکی تر‬
‫لە دەریایەکەوە ئەفڕێت بۆ دەریایەکی تر‬
‫‪ .‬لە باخچەیەکەوە باران ئەگوێزێتەوە بۆ باخچەیەکی تر‬
‫پێی بڵێ ئەم دنیایە‬
‫هەموو سپێدەیەک دەرگا بۆ عەشقێکی تازە ئەکاتەوە و‬
‫‪ .‬هەموو ئێوارەیەک مۆمێک بۆ سپێتیی ژن هەڵئەکات‬
‫‪ .‬هەموو هەشتی مارسێک ‪ ،‬کراسی عەدالەت ئەپۆشێ‬
‫پێی بڵێ ‪ ،‬بە فاتیمە بڵێ ؛ دوای مەرگی ئەو ‪،‬‬
‫ئاگری دەیان قەسیدەمان کردەوە‬
‫لە دەرگای سەدان کتێبمان دا‬
‫‪ .‬گۆزەی چەندین خەیاڵمان پڕ کرد لە ئاوی تووڕەبوون‬
‫لە بەردەم ئاوێنەکانی قسەکردنا‬
‫‪ .‬چەندین تفمان لە بێشەرەفیی خۆمان کرد‬
‫پێی بڵێ ‪ ،‬بە قەهرەوە بە فاتیمە بڵێ ؛‬
‫‪ .‬دوای مەرگی ئەو چییمان نەکرد‬
‫کەچی هێشتا ژنکوژان ‪ ،‬بە چەقۆ و خنجەرەکانی شەرەفەوە‬
‫! لێرەن ‪ ..‬لەبەر دەرگای ماڵەکانی هەموومان ڕاوەستاون‬
‫‪Jamal Khambar is an Australian-Kurdish Poet who is an‬‬
‫‪advocate of women’s rights. In this poem he writes to Maria, a‬‬
‫‪recent victim of honor killing in Sweden who meets Fatima,‬‬
‫‪another girl killed in Sweden in 2001 and tells her that we don’t‬‬
‫‪forget her and that since 2001 the knife is still around waiting‬‬
‫‪and haunting for more honor killings.‬‬
‫‪People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program‬‬
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 3
Introduction
The first two months of 2012 have seen an escalation in the number of reported cases of violence
against women in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Eighteen (18) cases have been reported in the
Bishder and Betwen regions in January and February 20121.
Civil Society and Human Rights Organizations are highly concerned about the surge in the number
of cases of honor based violence, namely honor killings, in addition to the high numbers of suicides
-by self-burning- of young women reported in Rania and Qalazia and the lack of information and
prosecution of the cases by the authorities. Another cause of concern is the lack of accurate statistics
available.
This report is an effort to document the cases of women killing and self-burnings in Kurdistan and to
detail actions taken by local NGO’s. Moreover we seek to raise the issue at the international level
and to establish networks with international human rights organizations and engage international
stakeholders to raise awareness of discrimination and violence faced by Kurdish women. The
information contained here comes from a survey of 1000 participants conducted by PDA, reports
from Non-Governmental Organizations2 that have worked directly with these cases and have
interviewed families, police and close relatives of the women as well as Kurdish media articles
covering the issue of women killing.
The numbers speak for themselves
The Kurdish government registered 3,766 cases of violence against women in 20113. Table 1
shows the results by province. From these figures, seventy-six (76) women were killed or committed
suicide, while 330 had died either by been burned or self-burned. These are the official figures;
yet misleading since in many instances, the murders are disguised as suicide or not even reported
to the authorities4.
Table 1. Cases of Violence Against Women, per Province registered in 20115.
Province
Population (estimate) Cases of VAW
Percentage
Duhok
200,000 residents
771
21%
Erbil
1.3 million residents
1,322
35%
Suleimaniya
1.9 million residents
1,673
44%
In 2011, a total of 44 cases of violence were documented in the Bishder and Between regions, at
this rate the violent cases will almost triple by the end of the year. Estimates from the UN
Population Fund in their report State of the World Population 20006 put the number of women
killed worldwide to 5,000 per year.
1
AK News, Ranya and Qaladiza, Iraq: A True Hell for Women and Girls, March 30th, 2012.
http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/8/298778/; Retrieved April 1st, 2012.
2
Ibid
3 Rudaw, Iraqi Kurdish Activists: Women’s Abuse Under-Reported, January 19, 2012.
http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2012/1/state5811.htm; Retrieved April 19, 2012.
4
Niqash, Honour killings: Plague of suicides in north may actually be murder, January 10, 2012.
www.niqash.org/articles/?id=2968. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
5
Ibid
6
UNFPA,
Report
State
of
the
World
Population
(2000).
http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2000/english/ch03.html; Retrieved May 15, 2012.
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 4
Women and Honor Killings
Honor Killing has a long history in the Kurdish society, especially since 1991. At that time, there
was war and no rule of law. Only a few had power. In this time, it was common to have weapons
at home and it was very easy to kill a woman. There were no institutions, court or police. The law
favored those who kill women for honor. Nowadays, there are institutions, judiciary and police, yet
they are not successful in protecting women. Why? Many people blame it on tradition or culture.
But who can change this brutal culture and tradition.
For the past 20 years, it has not been the priority of those in power to put this on their agenda.
Leaders often speak about violence and killing of women, but there has not been a legitimate
commitment to get to the root cause of the problem; gender inequality. Despite efforts from local
and international organizations on campaigning against women killing, workshops and many other
activities, shelters and women centers, why the problem seems to become bigger?
Dr Nazand Begikhani’s research describes accurately the situation of Kurdish women.7 From her
research, Dr. Begikhani identifies themes that act together to promote a culture of violence against
women in Kurdistan; male domination, culture and social norms, tradition and tribal values,
misinterpretation of religion, lack or weakness in law enforcement mechanisms, among others. Male
dominance permeates all aspects of women’s daily life and asserts male control and domination of
women. Honor killing is a reflection of this domination and the enforcement of women’s submissive
position.
Despite the Kurdish Parliament high number of women representatives (36 of 111) and the
Domestic Violence Law approved last June 21, 2011, which criminalizes domestic violence,
Kurdistan is far from achieving justice for women who are victims of violence. The law has been
approved but in reality is not enforced. But the issue goes beyond the law, says women’s rights
activist Bahar Munzir, “there is not enough participation, Kurdistan is a man dominated culture and
women do not have the same opportunities as men to participate in political life. In Kurdish political
parties, the women don’t have a place”.
Moreover the same laws that are supposed to protect women still discriminate and stigmatize them.
In 2000 and 2001 the Kurdish Autonomous Region reformed articles 130 and 132 from the Iraqi
Penal Code no. 111, which allowed reduced penalties in cases of honor killing8. Yet, that has
proved difficult to implement these reforms in a society governed by tribal honor codes, where
tribal leaders continue to be the most powerful and influential actors when solving family conflicts.
Box 1: Kalar Court
A policeman in Kalar’s court filled out the survey with three other colleagues. The last question of the
survey was related to a local case of murder; a young girl, Shokhan Ahmed, 23 years old from Kalar.
Initially, they did not agree with honor killing. After 1 hour, he came back, and asked us if he could
change his answer, after he realized the case was that of Shokhan. We said that it was not possible, as
the surveys were anonymous so we could not identify his survey. He was angry and he said that he
agreed with Shokhan’s killing and he took 3 new surveys for him and two of his colleagues and brought
them back to us as to show agreement in this killing. This case shows how difficult it is when policemen
that are supposed to implement the law and help women when they are in a crisis situation are still the
first to stigmatize women. See survey results section..
7
Begikhani, Gill and Hague, 2010, Honor Based Violence and Honor-based Killing in Iraqi Kurdistan and
in the Kurdish Diaspora in the UK. p. 26.
8
Ibid 6, p.63-64, Begikhani 2005: 212-216
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 5
For the past month, our organization has been conducting a survey in the areas of Kalar and Rania,
where we have two women centers. The purpose of the survey is to assess perceptions of the
general public related to honor killing, forced marriages, the recently approved domestic violence
law, and the role of women organizations and shelters in providing help to women victims of
violence. Preliminary results from the survey show that people do not know about the new domestic
violence law. We met with one of the judges working in Kalar’s court and he told us that he did not
know about this law. So, if the judges don’t know about the law, how are they supposed to
implement it? Another preliminary finding is that there are people that agree with honor killing.
We are still in the process of data collection in Kalar.
Shelters in Kurdistan
Currently there are 7 shelters in Kurdistan which include government run shelters, one run by a
political party, and two “independent” shelters. The KRG Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs
(MoLSA) operates a total of four shelters: one in Sulaimaniya, two in Erbil and one in Duhok. The
Directorate for Following Violence Against Women (DFVAW), under the Ministry of Interior (MoI)
operates an emergency shelter permitting stay of up to 72-hours in Sulaimaniya. The Patriotic
Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) Women’s Union runs Aram shelter in Sulaimaniya. The NGO Asuda, runs
a shelter in Sulaimaniya since 2000.
The current condition of these shelters does not promote the well being of the women who run
away from violence. Many women staying in these shelters would rather be in a prison9 as they
are prevented from talking to their relatives, and often don’t have access to the telephone or the
outside world. Shelters run without any vocational programs or recreational activities and they
don’t even have a clear procedure on how they receive women.
Women’s shelters in Kurdistan have been often criticized by the public and media for endangering
women. They do not have social workers and their staffs are not well trained; there is also the issue
of stigma, the people who work in the shelter are the first ones to criticize and stigmatize women
seeking help, making the choice to flee difficult for women who need protection. A young woman
recounted her experience in a Kurdish shelter to a local newspaper “I will never, ever go back to
that center. We took refuge there, but they insulted us. I have never been slapped in my entire life,
but the director of the center slapped me. They were all laughing at me. I will never go back to
that place”.10
Box 2: Going to the Shelter
A woman from Rania ran away from her home after her husband and her family threatened to kill her.
She ran away to Suleimaniya with her three children. She visited our center in Rania looking for help.
We tried to relocate her to a shelter in Suleimaniya but without success. We tried to provide a safe
place for the woman but it was difficult because allegedly she was insulted by one of the staff who
called her a “prostitute”. The women also told us that the shelter have a place for her but not if she
came with her 3 children. Women can come to the shelters if she is by herself, however shelters are not
able to provide housing if the women comes with children. This case illustrates the challenges faced in
dealing with cases of honor killing
9
Rudaw, US NGO Supporting Women’s Shelters in Kurdistan.
http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurds/4405.html; Retrieved April 29, 2012.
10
Ibid 8
February
10,
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
2012.
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 6
Women Victims of Honor-based Violence
Five cases of murder or attempted murder of women in Rania and Qaladzia have been reported
in the first two months of 2012. Four women have died and one woman remains in hospital
intensive care, having undergone two operations as a result of her injuries11. According to the 2008
report from the Directorate of Violence Against Women in Suleimaniya, the majority of
perpetrators are husbands, followed by fathers and brothers12.
Kaban Kamal Omer, 23, of
Zharawa, Shot by her husband,
Nasih Hussein, on February 9,
2012. Nasih claimed that he was
cleaning his weapon when it
went off, shooting his wife.
Sakar Hamadamin, 28 of
Sarkapkan sub-district of Ranya,
killed on February 4, 2012. Her
family claims that the killer is
unknown
Sakar Omer Aziz, 22, of Ranya
district, Killed by her husband on
February 11, 2012
Diman Mustafa Ahmed, 20, of
Betwata district, Killed by her
husband on February 26, 2012.
Shokhan Ahmad Mohamad
Amin, 23, Kalar, Killed on March
8, 2012. The circumstances of
her killing are unknown, but it is
thought that she was kidnapped
and her body was found near
Kirkuk province
According to Houzan Mahmoud, UK representative of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in
Iraq13, the figures are “very conservative” and the statistics can never show the reality of women’s
oppression in Kurdistan. According to Mahmoud, “there is a culture of tolerance of violence against
women in our society. Men easily kill women because the laws which are supposed to protect
women are not functional.” She said that most women in Kurdistan do not report the crimes due to
lack of trust in the police forces or to avoid stigma because in Kurdistan “tribal laws are more
powerful than civil laws. They don’t report the crimes because they cannot trust the police or they
don't want to bring shame on their man's so called honor. Sometimes the family hides it in order to
protect their ‘honor’ and avoid stigmas”.
Other Women Killed in Iraq
2007-Du'a Khalil Aswad, 17, Duhok
She was stoned to death in Niniveh, by a mob of 2,000 men for falling in love
with a man outside her tribe.
2007-Shawbo Ali Rauf, 19, Kurdistan
Was taken by her family to a picnic in Dokan and shot seven times because they
had found an unfamiliar number on her mobile phone.
Figure 1.Shawbo Ali Rauf
11
Ibid 1
Ibid 6 p. 47
13
Ibid 3
12
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 7
2008- Rand Abdel-Qader, 17, Basra
17, was beaten to death in Basra by her father because she had become infatuated with a British
soldier.
2008-Leila Hussein, 41, Basra
Murdered on 17 May in Basra after she denounced and divorced her husband’s after she
witnessed her daughter Rand Abdel-Qader, 17 honor killing at the hands of her father over
innocent friendship between her student daughter, and a blond, 22-year-old British soldier known
only as Paul.
2011 Fatima Sadradin, 25, Hawler
Murdered on August 8th, 2011 by her brother. She was the third wife and she had divorced her
husband.
Kurdish Women Killed in Europe and US
1999- Pela Atroshi, 19, Kurdistan/Sweden
During the visit to Duhok Pela was attacked and shot by her uncle and his sons.
Her uncle Rezkar Atroshi had shot Pela twice at the back in an upstair room of
her family home, before her mother and sister Breen intervened. Upon
helping her downstairs, the women were met by Pela’s uncles Shivan Atroshi
and his brother who pulled the women apart and shot Pela in the head
despite her pleas for mercy.
Figure 2. Pela Atroshi
2001- Fadime Sahindal, 26, Sweden
Shot in the head by her father in her sister’s apartment in Sweden. She had
fallen in love with a Swedish man, Patrik Lindesjö who was killed in a car
accident in 1998. She was an activist and had spoken to the Swedish
Parliament about immigrant women situations in Sweden.
2006-Banaz Mahmod Babakir, 20, UK
Banaz was given in arranged marriage to a member
of her own tribe at age 16. Few years later, after
Figure 3 Fadime Sahindal
her marriage broke down due to violence and rape,
Banaz returned back to her family home and while seeking divorce fell in love
with Rahmat Sulemani, an Iranian Kurdish man of a different tribe., She was
raped and strangled and her body was found more than three months after
she was reported disappeared.
2007-Shawbo Ali Rauf, 19, Kurdistan
Was taken by her family to a picnic in Dokan and shot seven times
because they had found an unfamiliar number on her mobile phone.
Figure 4. Banaz Mahmoud
2009- Noor Faleh Almaleki, 20, US
On October 20, 2009 in an Arizona parking lot Noor’s father attempted to run
over his daughter and the mother of her boyfriend Amal Edan Khalaf, 43, with
his 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Noor spent two weeks in coma fighting for
her life, but died as a result of the injuries she suffered.
2011-Sara Mohamed Ali, 21,Sweden
Figure 5 Noor Al-Maleki
Killed in Rania in September 2011. She had moved to Sweden in 2008 when
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 8
her father refused to let her marry a man she met while studying in Kurdistan. In 2011, she went
back to Kurdistan where she died of natural causes according to her family, but women
organizations in Sweden have strong reasons to believe it was a case of honor killing.
2012-Maria Barin Aydin, 19, Sweden
19, was killed on April 24, 2012, in Landskrona in Sweden. She had
chosen to have a relationship with someone which had not been
selected by her family
According to Houzan Mahmoud, UK representative of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in
Iraq14, the figures are “very conservative” and the statistics can never show the reality of women’s
oppression in Kurdistan. According to Mahmoud, “there is a culture of tolerance of violence against
women in our society. Men easily kill women because the laws which are supposed to protect
women are not functional.” She said that most women in Kurdistan do not report the crimes due to
lack of trust in the police forces or to avoid stigma because in Kurdistan “tribal laws are more
powerful than civil laws. They don’t report the crimes because they cannot trust the police or they
don't want to bring shame on their man's so called honor. Sometimes the family hides it in order to
protect their ‘honor’ and avoid stigmas.”
Box 3: Rania University
One of the survey locations in Rania, was Raparin University. One male student, 23 years old
discussed with us about honor killing. He agreed on the killing-of women-if it is related to
honor. “These girls are not good girls; they are a shame for their families” he said. This young
man’s opinion shows how even the educated, young people still hold very conservative views
about women’s rights. We often argue that these conservative views are mostly among the
uneducated, old, and living in the villages, but our survey and conversations with young people
shows otherwise.
14
Ibid 3
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 9
Self-Immolation Cases
Government statistics from the whole region show 414 women in 2009 experienced burning 15Al
Arabiya newspaper reported the figure of women burning themselves alive has gone up from 39
in 1991to 441 cases in 201016. In Suleimaniya Governorate, the DVAW 2008 report shows that in
Self Immolation Cases
Gashbeen Jabar Nabi, 13, Rapareen Qtr. Rania
Was burned on January 15, 2012. According to her family, she was burned when filling
a heater with kerosene; but the cause of the burning remains suspicious.
Sazan Omer Kareem, 27, Hajjawa Sub-district
Was burned on January 15, 2012. Details of the case remain uncertain.
Beri Mohammad Mullah, 19, Sangasar Sub-district
Was burned on January 26, 2012. Details of the case are unknown.
Shiba Hussein Qadir, 19, Shahidan Qtr., Rania
Was burned on January 31, 2012. Details of the case are unknown.
Arazo Salih Rasool, 17, Rania
50 percent of her body was burned, allegedly from a kerosene pump cooker while
taking a bath. She is now at Sulaimaniyah hospital.
Gulstan Ahmad, 17, Rania
was burned while home alone. She allegedly filled a kerosene heater with benzene
instead of kerosene. Ahmad is a student at a computer institute
Lana Sa’dun Haji, Kewasash Sub-district, Rania
Details of this burning are unknown
the first nine months of 2008, 140 women experienced burning17. Of this figure, 21 cases were
self-burning -intentionally or in Kurdish, khosootan- and 119 were reported as accident-related
burns-sootan-. Does this make sense? The majority of burned cases registered are due to alleged
accidents involving “faulty” cooking or heating equipment and they occur in rural areas. These
alleged accidents are suspicious given the high degree and severity of burns of the victims.
Moreover from the data collected it cannot be determined whether the burnings are the cause of
accident or the attempt to murder a woman.
If you want to learn more about cases of women burning in Kurdistan, there is a documentary film,
recently shown in Suleimaniya, by a Kurdish-Norwegian producer, Halkaut Mustafa, titled “Without
Mirrors”. The film takes place at the Erbil Emergency Hospital and tells the story about women
burning. 80% of the women in the documentary died as a result of the burnings after the
interviews. If you want a copy of the documentary, you can contact us.
15
Ibid
Al Arabiya-Dubai, Ekurd, Of women who set themselves on fire in Iraq's Kurdistan, November 23,
2011. http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/11/state5599.htm; Retrieved April 22, 2012.
17
Ibid 6 p. 45
16
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 10
Taking Action: Honor Killing Awareness Campaign
Local and international NGO’s are working to raise awareness, train, provide direct services
(legal, psychological and social services) and advocacy on issues of violence against women.
People’s Development Association which has been working with women in the area since 2006 has
two women centers in Suleimanya, one in Kalar and the other in Rania. We joined forces with other
local and international human rights organizations to start an awareness campaign. The campaign,
Not for Honor Killing under the Name of Tradition and Culture: Mamosta Sakar Campaign, started in
mid-February and has so far completed the following activities:
1. A letter signing campaign which included local and international organizations based in
Kurdistan to urge the Ministry of Justice to take action in the case of the killing of Sakar.
2. A sit in with the Minister of Justice on February 26th, to present the letter urging him to
follow the case in the court. News Article-Kurdish
3. A demonstration in front of Suleimaniya’s Court as part of the 8th of March, International
Women’s Day in Kurdistan. The demonstration was a collective effort to make the issue
public and demand the authorities to provide shelters for the women in the Bishder district
of Suleimaniya. The protest was widely covered in the local media, including radio, TV, and
newspapers, which is likely to have a positive impact in the community, especially TV, which
is the main source of information here in Kurdistan.
4. A panel discussion on Honor Killing also part of the 8th of March activities in Suleimaniya.
The panel, composed by a lawyer, a woman parliamentarian and a woman activist
discussed the challenges in dealing with honor killing and the implementation of the new
domestic violence law approved by the Kurdistan Parliament.
5. A text message campaign to more than 100,000 Asia Cell customers (the largest mobile
provider in the KRG) stating “Not for Honor Killing Under the Name of Tradition and
Culture.”
6. A survey was completed in Rania and Kalar, where we gathered the public’s opinion
regarding issues of honor killing, forced marriages, shelters services for women, and the
role of women organizations in protecting women.
7. TV show about honor killing, broadcasted by KNN on April 19th titled “In the Name of
Honor”. See TV program here.
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 11
Survey: Perceptions of Violence Against Women in Kurdistan
Methodology:
The first two months of 2012 have seen an escalation in the number of reported cases of violence
against women in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Eighteen (18) cases have been reported in the
Bishder and Betwen regions in January and February 2012 only. Civil Society and Human Rights
Organizations are highly concerned about the surge in the number of cases of honor based
violence and the lack of information and prosecution of the cases by the authorities. This survey is
part of an effort to understand people’s perceptions about violence against women in Kurdistan
specifically when we talk about honor killing and forced marriage.
The survey was conducted between April 9th and May 15th, 2012. During that time, more than
1000 respondents from Kalar and Rania districts in Suleimaniya governorate answered questions
about violence against women including honor killing, forced marriages, the recently approved
domestic violence law, and the role of women organizations and shelters in providing help to
women victims of violence.
The survey was composed of seven questions, arranged in multiple choice with yes, somehow or no
as available answers. Data on gender and age was collected as part of the survey in order to
assess any differences due to these indicators.
The data was obtained using paper-based surveys that were administered in public spaces
including schools, city center and governmental offices like municipalities and courts in order to
reach a diversity of the population that represent different opinions and perceptions. Staff from
the two women centers in Kalar and Rania administered the surveys at each location by two means,
the staff filled the survey by asking the questions to the respondent or the respondent themselves
filled the survey and the staff remained near to answer and clarify any questions. The first one in
order to facilitate the filling of the questionnaire and to aid in cases that people were not able to
read and write. The second one, when the staff wanted to reach a greater number of people in a
given place.
Each survey was identified by a unique number in order to trace back to location and entered in a
database using Excel and/or Google docs in order to reduce data entry error and aid with the
data organization and interpretation of results.
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 12
Table 1. Survey Locations
Findings:
There were an equal number of men and women among survey respondents. See Figure 1. Results
showed no significant difference between women and men when asked about issues of violence
against women. This is a remarkable finding if we take into consideration the existing gender
segregation and the significant role differences between women and men in Kurdish society. Both
men and women seem to agree that the murder of women for honor is a problem and that forced
marriage still exists. Respondents also agree that boys and girls should marry with their own
consent. Regarding the domestic violence law and the ability of the law to prosecute perpetrators
respondents demonstrated a lack of trust in the justice system.
Figure 1.Gender Distribution of Respondents
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 13
Honor Killing
Do you think women's murder under the excuse of honor is a problem in Kurdistan? More than 50%
of respondents think that women’s murder under the excuse of honor is a problem in Kurdistan,
while 31% thinks it is somehow a problem making for the majority of respondents to agree that it is
an existing problem. See Figure 2. Respondents from the Rania districts showed in average a
stronger agreement that honor killing is an issue than respondents in Kalar. There was a positive
correlation between responses to honor killing and forced marriage, suggesting that people who
think honor killing is a problem also said that the murders of Mamosta Sakar/ Ahmed Shokhan
were an unjust act, they were also more likely to speak against forced marriage. Age and gender
did not seem to have an influence in the way people responded to this question.
Figure 2.Results for Question 1-Perceptions about Honor Killing
Do you think that the Murder of Mamosta Sakar (Rania)-Shokhan Ahmed (Kalar) was an unjust act?
More than 75% of respondents in Rania and Kalar together agree that the murder of Mamosta
Sakar in Rania and Shokan Ahmed in Kalar was an unjust act. See Figure 3. While the percentage
of respondents who agree with the killing in Rania was higher than in Kalar, there is still a vast
majority of people who disagree with the killing or think it was not just. This could be a reflection of
the fact that the case of Mamosta Sakar was covered widely by local media and women
organizations organized protests, radio and TV programs were broadcasted widely in Kurdistan.
In contrast, the case of Shokhan Ahmed in Kalar was not widely known.
Figure 3. Responses for Question 7-Perceptions about Honor Killing
A baseline survey does not exists in Rania before the case of Mamosta Sakar was made public
therefore we don’t have any information of what the perceptions of honor killing were before or if
there has been any change in perception in Rania because of Mamosta Sakar’s case. In Shokhan’s
case some of the respondents in Kalar did not answer the question, because they did not know
about Shokhan’s case. In general we can say that results reflect a disagreement with honor killing.
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
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Forced Marriage:
Do you think forced marriage still exists in Kurdistan? While 25% of respondents think it is indeed
a problem in Kurdish society, another 57% of respondents think that forced marriage is somehow a
problem. See Figure 4. There seems to be a relation between age and perceptions on forced
marriage. The older people are more likely to think that forced marriage is not an issue. This is
consistent with the fact that this was the way older people entered into marriage, therefore, they
do not see it as a problem, while another explanation could be that older people might think
forced marriage was worst in the past and now the situation has improved. In contrast, younger
people now there have been influenced by efforts to educate and raise awareness against forced
marriages and younger people are more likely to enter in a marriage by consent. These young
people were more likely to say that forced marriage is a problem because they have access to
information and they know these practices are outdated in many countries.
Figure 4. Responses to Question 2- Perceptions about Forced Marriage
Forced marriage is a deeply rooted practice and some people might think that is the only way that
a person can be rightly married, this could explain why almost 20% of respondents do not
acknowledge the existence of forced marriage. There are cases where women are not allowed to
marry the person they want, the family will choose the man for their daughter and this is indeed a
force marriage.
Figure 5. Responses to Question 5-Perceptions about Forced Marriage
Do you think girls and boys have to marry with their own consent? Around 50% of respondents
agree that girls and boys should consent when choosing who to marry. While 40% agree to some
extent that they should not be forced to marry someone they didn’t choose. It is worth mentioning
that the average age of respondents was 24 years and this shows that the conservative mentality
still prevails even in young people and that more training and awareness programs and forced
marriage campaigns especially for schools and universities.
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
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Violence Against Women and Law in Kurdistan
Do you think that the domestic violence law has an impact on reducing domestic violence? Forty
seven percent of respondents think that the domestic violence law has had no impact on reducing
domestic violence in Kurdistan. 37% of respondents think that law has somehow had an impact on
reducing domestic violence. See Figure 6. From this we can understand that people do not have a
good experience with the law system. This demonstrate a lack of trust in the justice system and is
consistent with tribal and family disputes being solve outside court by tribal leaders, which often do
not consider the rights of women
Figure 6. Responses to Question 3- Perceptions about Domestic Violence Law
Do you think that law has been able to impose penalty on the people that practice VAW? FortySix percent (46%) of respondents think that the justice system has not been able to impose a
penalty on perpetrators of violence against women. While another 36 percent of respondents think
that somehow law has been able to prosecute those who commit crimes against women. See Figure
7. The law has been approved in paper, but many factors have contributed to the law not being
implemented. In some instances, the court decisions are not taken independently, but still relying on
the decisions of the clan, which still holds more power than the court. Strongly rooted perceptions
that women are the carriers of family honor are stronger than the deterrence of being punished.
Moreover those who implement the law still haven’t been able to get rid of preconceived views of
honor and shame. Another problem is that there has not been a legitimate commitment to get to the
root cause of the problem; gender inequality.
Figure 7. Responses to Question 6-Perceptions about prosecution of perpetrators of VAW
Women organizations in Kurdistan think that this is a very important issue and are working
lobbying for the law to be implemented and are following cases closely and sharing information
with the media, especially cases of honor killing.
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
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Role of NGO’s and Centers in VAW
Do centers and NGO's play a role in reducing violence against women (VAW) in the area?
Respondents were divided in this matter. While 40% of respondents think organizations and
women centers have not been able to reduce violence against women, another to 40% say that to
some extent centers and NGO’s have some part in reducing violence against women. Only 20%
agreed to the effectiveness of the centers. See Figure 8. This says that there is a lot that remains to
be done to promote the work of women’s rights organizations and to gain support of civil society to
solve women’s issues. This puts us in a position to rethink our strategy as women’s rights
organizations to fight violence against women. Besides the challenges discussed in the report, there
is a general perception that shelters are not good places and therefore if a woman goes there to
escape violence, she faces criticism and are often rejected by their relatives. It is our responsibility
to change the negative perceptions of civil society towards shelters and women NGO’s to make
them a safe place for women and their children who go there in search for a safe place.
Figure 8. Responses to Question 4- Perceptions about NGO’s and Centers
Recommendations:
Results from the survey shed light in the different areas that need to be addressed strategically to
work towards violence prevention:
Awareness
There is a need for awareness at different levels; at the legal level, awareness of the
consequences of forced marriages and women killing. At the society level, to provide support
structures especially at the family level, and to change the mentality regarding women and girls
issues in Kurdistan..
Women’s Participation
When women participate in all aspects of society, including the political sphere, there is equality
and women are represented and empowered to bring the issues that affect them.
Protection
Providing safe places for women escaping violence, places that are inclusive, free from stigma and
that promote the wellbeing of the women they serve. Moreover there is a lot of work to do in
order to change negative perceptions of shelters and women’s centers
Prosecution by lobbying law implementation
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
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These results show us that local and international women’s organizations have a lot of work to do;
to cooperate in lobbying for the KRG government to implement the domestic violence law. There
are ongoing efforts by NGO’s to lobby for its implementation.
Offering Solutions
Law is one important tool to bring about social change, but it is hard to implement when those who
are supposed to implement it still have a mentality set on traditional views of honor and shame.
True change can only come when society is educated on this issue and is able to have an inclusive
and participatory view on women.
There is a serious need for other interventions. On the short term, providing women the needed
services such as shelters and social support to deal with violence, on the other hand more
sustainable, long-term interventions that can modify social and cultural behavior that sanctions
violence against women, including education, health and awareness-raising.
Ending violence against women is at the forefront of advancing the status of women. This requires a
long term, two-fold strategy, not only at the national level, but most importantly requires the
support of the international community. At the national level it is a priority to advocate for the
prosecution and punishment of honor crimes. The international community must stand beside women
to bring about justice and equality by ensuring states meet their international obligations to protect
women under CEDAW and other conventions, while supporting local efforts to advocate, educate
and raise awareness about violence against women. The global community is vital to establish
networks with international human rights organizations and to support participation in world forums
to draw attention to the issue of violence against Kurdish women.
Next steps on the campaign include a documentary film on the case of Sakar, more radio and TV
programs and more awareness activities in local communities especially the ones that have been
closely affected by the killings.
Law is one important tool to bring about social change, but it is hard to
implement when those who are supposed to implement it still have a mentality
set in traditional views of honor and shame.
Conclusion
The number of cases of honor killing and self-burnings in Rania and Qaladzia in the first two
months of 2012 evidence an increase in the cases of violence against women in this region. The
situation regarding honor based violence is critical. There is a need for reliable statistics on women
killings. Women rights organizations are closely following up these provinces and documenting the
cases.
Shelters, although are not a sustainable solution, are in the short term a way of protecting women
against violence and murder by their families. Integrated services provided by these shelters as
well as training of the staff that works directly with the women are required. NGO’s dealing with
cases of violence against women need to keep providing key direct services to women victims of
violence (social, psychological and legal) while also pushing the government to enforce the laws
that protect women.
There is a serious need for other interventions. On the short term, providing women the needed
services as shelters and social support to deal with the violence, on the other hand more
sustainable, long-term, interventions that can modify social and cultural behavior that sanction
violence against women including education, health and awareness-raising.
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
Not for Honor Killing in the Name of Tradition or Culture 18
At the national level a priority is advocating for the prosecution and punishment of honor crime. On
the international level, establish networks with international human rights organizations and to
participate in world forums to draw attention to the reality of Kurdish women.
Photo Gallery
Figure 1. Sit in with the Kurdish Justice Minister, Raouf Rashid Abd Al-Rahman, on
February 26th, 2012. Representatives of Heartland Alliance, PDA, Islamic Women
Union, and the Kurdistan Women Association, the latter two based in Rania discussed
Mamosta Sakar’s case and delivered a letter sign by many NGO’s urging the Minister
to follow up this case.
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Figure 2 Bahar Munzir, Project Manager from PDA speaks at a rally during
8th of March, in Suleimaniya, about Mamosta Sakar's Campaign for Kurdish Local TV
Figure 3. Rally in front of the courthouse in Suleimaniya, March 8th, 2012.
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
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Figure 4. Shanga from WADI spoke to the media Suleimaniya on March 8th, 2012.
Women Organizations, ASUDA, CDO, PDA, WADI demanded the establishment of a
shelter for the Peshder district in Suleimaniya.
Figure 5. Bahar Munzir(right), and Peiman Azadi (middle) Member of Parliament
discuss the issue of honor killing in a panel on International Women's Day in
Suleimaniya.
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Figure 6.Falah Project Coordinator with WADI talked in the rally about women
issues in Kurdistan, March 8th 2012, Suleimaniya Court
Figure 7.Lawyer and Women Activist Razaw Abdul speaks about challenges of
representing women in the court. March 8th,2012 Suleimaniya.
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Figure 8. Survey at Kalar‘s Court, May 7th 2012.
Figure 9. Staff from Rania Women Center conducting Survey at Raparin University
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program
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Figure 10. Lawyers filling the survey and discussing with
staff at Kalar' Court, May 7th, 2012
This report was written by:
Johanna L. Rivera
Program Development Coordinator (Volunteer)
jlee_rivera@yahoo.com
With technical support from
Kalar Center for Combating Violence against Women
Rania Center for Combating Violence against Women
Edited by:
Bahar Munzir
General Director PDA
baharpda@yahoo.com
Acknowledgements:
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Thanks to Norwegian’s People’s Aid (NPA) which supports our women centers in Rania and Kalar
Aso Amin, Media Programs Manager PDA, provided support for this report
Ari Hama, supported the 8th of March Honor Killing Campaign by printing T-shirts
Aso Said, provided economical support for the 8th of March Honor Killing Campaign
Hazar Taha translated the report to Kurdish
People’s Development Association (PDA) Women’s Program