Understanding cultural violence and gender: honour killings; dowry murder; the zina ordinance and blood-feuds

Abstract

Violence against women affects individuals, families, and whole communities. As the majority of it occurs in the home, the challenge for practitioners, advocates, and activists is to create and support intervention and prevention strategies that not only address the individual experiences of violence but change the social structures that permit it. Gender violence takes on many guises, and this paper will explore the following forms: honour killings, dowry murder, the zina ordinance, and blood-feuds. In addition this article surveys the international initiatives that seek to fight gender violence and explores the critical role of social research in its prevention.