In Pakistan, another case of a suspected honour killing has come to light. A 21-year-old woman has allegedly been shot by her brother for her career choices.

Sidra, a native of Renala Khurd, District Okara, a city located 130 kilometres from the country's capital Lahore was allegedly killed because she chose to dance and model as her career.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-former-prime-minister-imran-khan-compare-himself-to-a-donkey-watch-video-476933" hreflang="en">Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan compare himself to a donkey. Watch video</a>

The woman was modelling for a local clothing brand and also danced in Faisalabad city's theatres.&nbsp;

According to a PTI story, her family did not approve of her job choices, but she went forward with them despite their opposition.

Last week Sidra came home to Renala Khurd to celebrate Eid with her family. On Thursday she got into an argument with her parents and brother over the "decency" of her profession.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan: Lahore HC acquits Qandeel Baloch's brother for killing her

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The argument escalated to the point where the family beat up Sidra for insisting on sticking to dancing.

As per officials, later that same day Sidra's brother Hamza opened fire on her, killing her on the spot.

The police claim to have arrested Hamza, who has confessed to the crime, and a murder case has been registered against him.

As per the police, Hamza got enraged after seeing a video of his sister's dance. The video was apparently sent to him by a relative.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-probe-foreign-conspiracy-allegation-made-by-ex-pm-imran-khan-476806" hreflang="en">Pakistan to probe foreign conspiracy allegation made by ex-PM Imran Khan</a>

Fraz Hamid, a police officer, told PTI that Hamza claimed he shot his sister in a fit of rage.

In Pakistan, cases of honour killings are horrifyingly frequent. Recently, in February this year, another girl, a 19-year-old dancer Ayesha in Faisalabad was shot dead by her ex-husband.

(With inputs from agencies)

In Pakistan, another case of a suspected honour killing has come to light. A 21-year-old woman has allegedly been shot by her brother for her career choices. Sidra, a native of Renala Khurd, District Okara, a city located 130 kilometres from the country's capital Lahore was allegedly killed because she chose to dance and model as her career.

In Pakistan, another case of a suspected honour killing has come to light. A 21-year-old woman has allegedly been shot by her brother for her career choices. Sidra, a native of Renala Khurd, District Okara, a city located 130 kilometres from the country's capital Lahore was allegedly killed because she chose to dance and model as her career. Also read | Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan compare himself to a donkey. Watch video The woman was modelling for a local clothing brand and also danced in Faisalabad city's theatres. According to a PTI story, her family did not approve of her job choices, but she went forward with them despite their opposition. Last week Sidra came home to Renala Khurd to celebrate Eid with her family. On Thursday she got into an argument with her parents and brother over the "decency" of her profession. Watch | Pakistan: Lahore HC acquits Qandeel Baloch's brother for killing her The argument escalated to the point where the family beat up Sidra for insisting on sticking to dancing. As per officials, later that same day Sidra's brother Hamza opened fire on her, killing her on the spot. The police claim to have arrested Hamza, who has confessed to the crime, and a murder case has been registered against him. As per the police, Hamza got enraged after seeing a video of his sister's dance. The video was apparently sent to him by a relative. Also read | Pakistan to probe foreign conspiracy allegation made by ex-PM Imran Khan Fraz Hamid, a police officer, told PTI that Hamza claimed he shot his sister in a fit of rage. In Pakistan, cases of honour killings are horrifyingly frequent. Recently, in February this year, another girl, a 19-year-old dancer Ayesha in Faisalabad was shot dead by her ex-husband. (With inputs from agencies)

For shame!: In yet another 'honour killing,' Pakistani brother murders his sister for pursuing dancing

The United Arab Emirates government has scrapped a ban on unmarried couples living together and has also done away with reduced sentences for so-called "honour" killings.

The oil-rich country has raised penalties for rape and sexual harassment.

The new laws are aimed at the country’s multicultural residents as it seeks to carve a new identity for itself.

There will no longer be separate sentencing guidelines for "honour" killings.

According to reports, "honour" killings will now be punishable like any other crime in which jail terms was between three and 15 years.

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has included changes to the sentencing guidelines for other offences related to women.

Reports say there will be harsher penalties in harassment cases, while the rape of a minor and of "someone with a limited mental capacity" will attract the death penalty.

Also, there won't be any penalties against those found drinking alcohol without a licence, however, individuals must still be over 21 to purchase or consume alcohol.

The new rules include several other changes in inheritance and the court system.

The United Arab Emirates government has scrapped a ban on unmarried couples living together and has also done away with reduced sentences for so-called "honour" killings.

The United Arab Emirates government has scrapped a ban on unmarried couples living together and has also done away with reduced sentences for so-called "honour" killings. The oil-rich country has raised penalties for rape and sexual harassment. The new laws are aimed at the country’s multicultural residents as it seeks to carve a new identity for itself. There will no longer be separate sentencing guidelines for "honour" killings. According to reports, "honour" killings will now be punishable like any other crime in which jail terms was between three and 15 years. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has included changes to the sentencing guidelines for other offences related to women. Reports say there will be harsher penalties in harassment cases, while the rape of a minor and of "someone with a limited mental capacity" will attract the death penalty. Also, there won't be any penalties against those found drinking alcohol without a licence, however, individuals must still be over 21 to purchase or consume alcohol. The new rules include several other changes in inheritance and the court system.

UAE allows unmarried couples to live together in sweeping law reforms

So, they are marching. They are marching in Lahore and in many other Pakistani cities despite being threatened, abused and harassed on social media and otherwise.

They are marching in Lahore holding placards with the picture of the late Asma Jehangir, an icon and the symbol of the fight against human rights abuses in Pakistan.

And they are marching shouting the slogan which with any evidence touched a raw nerve for a still patriarchal society: "Mera Jism, Meri Marzi", (my body my choice).

That reminds me of what we were shouting during the seventies in the streets of Italy: "Il corpo e mio e lo gestisco io" (The body is mine, and I`ll do what I want with it). Our other slogan was: "Tremble, Tremble, Witches are back". Because, for a patriarchal society, and unfortunately not only for that, an assertive woman is, of course, a witch, a prostitute, a danger for society and for the holy institution of the family.

An assertive, strong, independent woman is a threat for both patriarchal and religious institutions because she does not allow her life and her consciousness to be ruled by priests or mullahs or men.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-may-cause-61-million-loss-to-pakistan-adb-284934">&nbsp;Coronavirus may cause $61 million loss to Pakistan: ADB</a>

But, unlike us during the seventies, women, and girls of Pakistan, the ones marching and the ones still without a voice, are facing more, much more than being insulted or undermined and that`s why they are marching.

Reports, in fact, both national and international, more than reports look like war news. In the 2019 Women, Peace and Security Index, Pakistan ranked 164 out of 167 countries, only above Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen, and worst among nine South Asian countries on access to mobile phones, financial inclusion, and discriminatory norms for women.

According to Amnesty International, who released a statement supporting the Aurat March: "Women in Pakistan are consistently deprived of education, justice, health care, political representation, and economic opportunities. They live under the constant threat of violence". And "the threats of violence, intimidation, and harassment being hurled at marchers who are merely demanding their due rights underscores the necessity of the Aurat March".

According to the same Amnesty statement: "In the World Economic Forum`s Global Gender Gap Index Report 2020, Pakistan ranked 151 out of 153 countries, indicating a dismal record on human rights for women. It charts at the very bottom of the seven South Asian countries included in the Index".

Human Rights Watch maintains that "violence against women and girls -- including rape, so-called honour killings, acid attacks, domestic violence, and forced marriage -- remains a serious problem" in Pakistan.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/central-asia/womens-rights-activists-attacked-then-detained-in-kyrgyzstan-285086">Women's rights activists attacked then detained in Kyrgyzstan</a>

Around 12.2 million girls, compared with 10.6 million boys, remain out of school in the country because of poverty compounding challenges related to girls` educational opportunities.

Less-educated girls marry young, become mothers at an early age, and often face health challenges throughout their lives.

Women around the country have to face domestic violence, rape, honour killings, being thrown acid at, kidnapping and enforced disappearances. Especially in regions like KPK or Balochistan.

"The Baloch women not only have to deal with a regressive society and a regressive state but also with a brutal, repressive state which denies them and the men of their nation of rights which are thought acceptable for others. The fallout of the brutality of the state affects the women even more than it does the men" says Mir Mohammed Talpur, a very well known intellectual.

There have been several cases of women being abducted, detained and tortured, used as sex slaves by military personnel and then thrown away when they were tired of playing with them.

Watch:&nbsp;

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However, is difficult to get numbers because, as it always happens in these cases, women feel ashamed and scared and don`t want to disclose their misery.

Recently HRW issued a warning over the role of police in sexual violence cases, with officers both committing offences themselves and harassing and intimidating those who made allegations, not only in Balochistan but all over the country.

After the insults and the intimidations, Analyst Marvi Sirmed has been once more insulted live on TV and her private cellphone contacts have been put on social media after they tried to stop the march with Court orders, now many politicians are jumping on the boat of freedom and are congratulating "daughters and sisters" for their determination.

It would be enough, more than enough, being sure every day, not only today, that their rights are not violated and their lives are not in danger.

It would be enough to consider women and their bodies as humans and not as properties. But it will take years, many years, and will never go completely.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/20-killed-several-injured-as-heavy-rains-lash-pakistan-284953">20 killed, several injured as heavy rains lash Pakistan</a>

In my country, Italy, according to official data every day 88 women are victims of violence: one every 15 minutes. In 2019 more than 90 women have been killed. We even invented a word for it `femminicidio` (femmina means female in Italian, and the word for murder is `omicidio`): a totally new word to show the amount of violence against women.

Data for 2019 are still partial, but those of 2018 is certain and say that violence against women is still growing. There were 142 victims of `femminicidio` in 2018, 119 in the family. This tells the annual Eures report: "Femminicidio` and gender-based violence in Italy". Reports of sexual violence, stalking and abuse in the family also increased. It is within the walls of the house that 85 per cent of women are affected more and more often, mainly by their partners.

We are not marching this year because all public gatherings have been stopped because of coronavirus threat but will do it again and again. `Mera Jism, Meri Marzi`. My body, my choice, my life.&nbsp;

So, they are marching. They are marching in Lahore and in many other Pakistani cities despite being threatened, abused and harassed on social media and otherwise.

So, they are marching. They are marching in Lahore and in many other Pakistani cities despite being threatened, abused and harassed on social media and otherwise. They are marching in Lahore holding placards with the picture of the late Asma Jehangir, an icon and the symbol of the fight against human rights abuses in Pakistan. And they are marching shouting the slogan which with any evidence touched a raw nerve for a still patriarchal society: "Mera Jism, Meri Marzi", (my body my choice). That reminds me of what we were shouting during the seventies in the streets of Italy: "Il corpo e mio e lo gestisco io" (The body is mine, and I`ll do what I want with it). Our other slogan was: "Tremble, Tremble, Witches are back". Because, for a patriarchal society, and unfortunately not only for that, an assertive woman is, of course, a witch, a prostitute, a danger for society and for the holy institution of the family. An assertive, strong, independent woman is a threat for both patriarchal and religious institutions because she does not allow her life and her consciousness to be ruled by priests or mullahs or men. Also read: Coronavirus may cause $61 million loss to Pakistan: ADB But, unlike us during the seventies, women, and girls of Pakistan, the ones marching and the ones still without a voice, are facing more, much more than being insulted or undermined and that`s why they are marching. Reports, in fact, both national and international, more than reports look like war news. In the 2019 Women, Peace and Security Index, Pakistan ranked 164 out of 167 countries, only above Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen, and worst among nine South Asian countries on access to mobile phones, financial inclusion, and discriminatory norms for women. According to Amnesty International, who released a statement supporting the Aurat March: "Women in Pakistan are consistently deprived of education, justice, health care, political representation, and economic opportunities. They live under the constant threat of violence". And "the threats of violence, intimidation, and harassment being hurled at marchers who are merely demanding their due rights underscores the necessity of the Aurat March". According to the same Amnesty statement: "In the World Economic Forum`s Global Gender Gap Index Report 2020, Pakistan ranked 151 out of 153 countries, indicating a dismal record on human rights for women. It charts at the very bottom of the seven South Asian countries included in the Index". Human Rights Watch maintains that "violence against women and girls -- including rape, so-called honour killings, acid attacks, domestic violence, and forced marriage -- remains a serious problem" in Pakistan. Also see: Women's rights activists attacked then detained in Kyrgyzstan Around 12.2 million girls, compared with 10.6 million boys, remain out of school in the country because of poverty compounding challenges related to girls` educational opportunities. Less-educated girls marry young, become mothers at an early age, and often face health challenges throughout their lives. Women around the country have to face domestic violence, rape, honour killings, being thrown acid at, kidnapping and enforced disappearances. Especially in regions like KPK or Balochistan. "The Baloch women not only have to deal with a regressive society and a regressive state but also with a brutal, repressive state which denies them and the men of their nation of rights which are thought acceptable for others. The fallout of the brutality of the state affects the women even more than it does the men" says Mir Mohammed Talpur, a very well known intellectual. There have been several cases of women being abducted, detained and tortured, used as sex slaves by military personnel and then thrown away when they were tired of playing with them. Watch: × However, is difficult to get numbers because, as it always happens in these cases, women feel ashamed and scared and don`t want to disclose their misery. Recently HRW issued a warning over the role of police in sexual violence cases, with officers both committing offences themselves and harassing and intimidating those who made allegations, not only in Balochistan but all over the country. After the insults and the intimidations, Analyst Marvi Sirmed has been once more insulted live on TV and her private cellphone contacts have been put on social media after they tried to stop the march with Court orders, now many politicians are jumping on the boat of freedom and are congratulating "daughters and sisters" for their determination. It would be enough, more than enough, being sure every day, not only today, that their rights are not violated and their lives are not in danger. It would be enough to consider women and their bodies as humans and not as properties. But it will take years, many years, and will never go completely. Also read: 20 killed, several injured as heavy rains lash Pakistan In my country, Italy, according to official data every day 88 women are victims of violence: one every 15 minutes. In 2019 more than 90 women have been killed. We even invented a word for it `femminicidio` (femmina means female in Italian, and the word for murder is `omicidio`): a totally new word to show the amount of violence against women. Data for 2019 are still partial, but those of 2018 is certain and say that violence against women is still growing. There were 142 victims of `femminicidio` in 2018, 119 in the family. This tells the annual Eures report: "Femminicidio` and gender-based violence in Italy". Reports of sexual violence, stalking and abuse in the family also increased. It is within the walls of the house that 85 per cent of women are affected more and more often, mainly by their partners. We are not marching this year because all public gatherings have been stopped because of coronavirus threat but will do it again and again. `Mera Jism, Meri Marzi`. My body, my choice, my life.

Women in Pakistan protest against violence, rape, honour killings

The Bengaluru mass molestation has evoked a litany of anguished complaints against our collective existence as civilised human beings. Data crunching is being done to show, rightly, that precious little has changed despite the amended rape law or the oft-repeated promises on women&rsquo;s security. Half-a-billion citizens of this country have to try hard, on an everyday basis, to keep their bodily integrity intact.

But why is everybody silent about the body, the focal point of this discourse?

One of the challenges facing a sexual assault victim is to regain her ability to love her body as before. Almost everything around her stymies this effort. PTSD, somatic symptoms&nbsp;and depression are some of the commonly spoken about aftermaths of a sexual assault. The assaulted body not only bears the marks of the violation suffered, it also writhes in neglect and loathing. The victim fights a battle with not just the world outside but also within and the body is caught in this crossfire.

While studying child sexual abuse in the Jewish community, Rachel Lev, a US-based clinical psychologist, observed that insensitivity and ignorance displayed by institutions around the victim (healthcare, education, security, religion et al) severely hinder recovery and healing of the victims. Lev&rsquo;s 2003 book &lsquo;Shine the Light: Sexual Abuse and Healing in the Jewish Community&rsquo; emphasises the need for &ldquo;compassionate, informed and proactive community&rdquo; that helps in healing. An earlier research on rape victims (University of Illinois, 2001) establishes that while positive social reaction has a&nbsp;negligible impact on victim&rsquo;s recovery, negative social reactions hinder it substantially. Ironically, it is the community&rsquo;s collective failure that breeds sexual assault on an industrial scale.

How, then, can the victim emerge from the cesspool of shame, trauma and that unhealthy tendency of seeing the body as the cause of her woes? There are no prescribed answers or standard operating procedures. Yet, there can be some universal whistle points. To begin with, it is essential to recognise sexual assault to be what it is: a criminal act. Just like stealing, robbery, and murder. The victim needs to learn and internalise it. A sparkling SUV, straight out of the showroom, did not ASK to be stolen. It just was.

The body has an inbuilt self-healing mechanism. The victim needs to tap that. The ableist approach in combating violence against women, with its insistence on putting the onus of safety on the potential victim, has been rightly criticised by the gender equality activists and other stakeholders. However, a lot stands to be gained while leveraging the ability of a victim, post facto. It is also a step towards establishing a continuum of empathy. A victim, at ease with herself, is likely to extend support to those who need it. Mukhtar Mai of Pakistan, Sunitha Krishnan of Bengaluru, and Suzette Jordan of Kolkata were assaulted but not broken.

A victim has no agency in deciding what happens to her body. The victims of child sexual abuse do not even have the vocabulary to describe either their bodies or what is done to them. Yet, there is a shroud of shame with which the victim is expected to cover her bruised honour with. The body does not get impure or tainted by unwanted touch or penetration. Yes, it causes pain physical and mental. The ideas of impurity and honour are carefully placed constructs to silence the victims.

Silence suits the perpetrators and, unfortunately, even some secondary survivors. A victim&rsquo;s loved ones are the co-sufferers of an assault, yet the worst ordeal is reserved for the victim herself. Do remember the &lsquo;honourable&rsquo; killings (inclusive of abetment to suicide) of countless women by family members during the Partition because they were or could be sexually assaulted. Thus, the onus to reclaim the battered body needs to be on the victim. Negative social reactions to assault or even the body in the first place, however, disallows this process of rebuilding.

Learning to see the&nbsp;body as a&nbsp;whole and not disambiguated body parts, with a hierarchy of honour to define them, is the first step towards recovery. Learning to see a crime as crime is the essential second. When the individual heals, society heals. And vice versa.

(WION)

Ideas of impurity and honour are carefully-placed constructs to silence victims of sexual attacks

The Bengaluru mass molestation has evoked a litany of anguished complaints against our collective existence as civilised human beings. Data crunching is being done to show, rightly, that precious little has changed despite the amended rape law or the oft-repeated promises on women’s security. Half-a-billion citizens of this country have to try hard, on an everyday basis, to keep their bodily integrity intact. But why is everybody silent about the body, the focal point of this discourse? One of the challenges facing a sexual assault victim is to regain her ability to love her body as before. Almost everything around her stymies this effort. PTSD, somatic symptoms and depression are some of the commonly spoken about aftermaths of a sexual assault. The assaulted body not only bears the marks of the violation suffered, it also writhes in neglect and loathing. The victim fights a battle with not just the world outside but also within and the body is caught in this crossfire. While studying child sexual abuse in the Jewish community, Rachel Lev, a US-based clinical psychologist, observed that insensitivity and ignorance displayed by institutions around the victim (healthcare, education, security, religion et al) severely hinder recovery and healing of the victims. Lev’s 2003 book ‘Shine the Light: Sexual Abuse and Healing in the Jewish Community’ emphasises the need for “compassionate, informed and proactive community” that helps in healing. An earlier research on rape victims (University of Illinois, 2001) establishes that while positive social reaction has a negligible impact on victim’s recovery, negative social reactions hinder it substantially. Ironically, it is the community’s collective failure that breeds sexual assault on an industrial scale. How, then, can the victim emerge from the cesspool of shame, trauma and that unhealthy tendency of seeing the body as the cause of her woes? There are no prescribed answers or standard operating procedures. Yet, there can be some universal whistle points. To begin with, it is essential to recognise sexual assault to be what it is: a criminal act. Just like stealing, robbery, and murder. The victim needs to learn and internalise it. A sparkling SUV, straight out of the showroom, did not ASK to be stolen. It just was. The body has an inbuilt self-healing mechanism. The victim needs to tap that. The ableist approach in combating violence against women, with its insistence on putting the onus of safety on the potential victim, has been rightly criticised by the gender equality activists and other stakeholders. However, a lot stands to be gained while leveraging the ability of a victim, post facto. It is also a step towards establishing a continuum of empathy. A victim, at ease with herself, is likely to extend support to those who need it. Mukhtar Mai of Pakistan, Sunitha Krishnan of Bengaluru, and Suzette Jordan of Kolkata were assaulted but not broken. A victim has no agency in deciding what happens to her body. The victims of child sexual abuse do not even have the vocabulary to describe either their bodies or what is done to them. Yet, there is a shroud of shame with which the victim is expected to cover her bruised honour with. The body does not get impure or tainted by unwanted touch or penetration. Yes, it causes pain physical and mental. The ideas of impurity and honour are carefully placed constructs to silence the victims. Silence suits the perpetrators and, unfortunately, even some secondary survivors. A victim’s loved ones are the co-sufferers of an assault, yet the worst ordeal is reserved for the victim herself. Do remember the ‘honourable’ killings (inclusive of abetment to suicide) of countless women by family members during the Partition because they were or could be sexually assaulted. Thus, the onus to reclaim the battered body needs to be on the victim. Negative social reactions to assault or even the body in the first place, however, disallows this process of rebuilding. Learning to see the body as a whole and not disambiguated body parts, with a hierarchy of honour to define them, is the first step towards recovery. Learning to see a crime as crime is the essential second. When the individual heals, society heals. And vice versa. (WION)

Bengaluru mass molestation: Woman's scarred psyche and society's unholy mind

Three months after the murder of Pakistani model Qandeel Baloch, the Pakistan Parliament today passed legislation against &quot;honour killings&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The new anti-honour killing law was unanimously approved by the lower and upper house of the parliament mandates life imprisonment even if the victim&#39;s relatives forgive the murderer, international agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

This removes a currently existing loophole in the existing law that allows killers to walk free after being pardoned by family members.

&nbsp;

&quot;Laws are supposed to guide better behaviour, not allow destructive behaviour to continue with impunity,&quot; former senator Sughra Imam, who initially put forward the bill, was quoted as saying by Reuters.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

According to the international news agency, around 500 women are killed each year in the country at the hands of family members over perceived damage to &quot;honour&quot; that can involve eloping, fraternising with men or any other infraction against conservative values relating to women.

&nbsp;

Another legislation was passed today by the assembly increasing the punishments for some rape offences, mandating DNA testing and making the rape of a minor or the disabled punishable by life imprisonment or death, AFP reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Rape convictions in the South Asian country are apparently very low due to the law&#39;s reliance on circumstantial evidence and a lack of forensic testing, the news agency highlights in its reports.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Women rights activists have been calling for tougher laws to tackle pepetrators of violence against women in the country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Honour?killings 'claim the lives of hundreds of victims every year', the bill stated

Three months after the murder of Pakistani model Qandeel Baloch, the Pakistan Parliament today passed legislation against "honour killings". The new anti-honour killing law was unanimously approved by the lower and upper house of the parliament mandates life imprisonment even if the victim's relatives forgive the murderer, international agency AFP reported. This removes a currently existing loophole in the existing law that allows killers to walk free after being pardoned by family members. "Laws are supposed to guide better behaviour, not allow destructive behaviour to continue with impunity," former senator Sughra Imam, who initially put forward the bill, was quoted as saying by Reuters. According to the international news agency, around 500 women are killed each year in the country at the hands of family members over perceived damage to "honour" that can involve eloping, fraternising with men or any other infraction against conservative values relating to women. Another legislation was passed today by the assembly increasing the punishments for some rape offences, mandating DNA testing and making the rape of a minor or the disabled punishable by life imprisonment or death, AFP reported. Rape convictions in the South Asian country are apparently very low due to the law's reliance on circumstantial evidence and a lack of forensic testing, the news agency highlights in its reports. Women rights activists have been calling for tougher laws to tackle pepetrators of violence against women in the country. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Pakistan passes legislation against 'honour killings'

The 21-year-old daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma is set to marry the Eswatini king “for love” and become his 16th wife, a spokesman for Africa’s last remaining monarchy told BBC.

Nomcebo Zuma was present at the annual reed dance—a traditional celebration of passage for young women and girls—and was named as the liphovela (italics), meaning royal fiancee in Swati.&nbsp;

The days-long reed dance is a traditional rite of womanhood, with young women singing and dancing bare-chested, wearing traditional clothing that includes anklets and thick colourful tassels, some carrying mock swords and shields.

The 56-year-old Eswatini monarch, King Mswati II is currently in a polygamous arrangement with 11 wives—and has been married 15 times in total.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/south-africa-plans-to-bomb-its-island-soon-to-eradicate-killer-mice-753724">South Africa plans to bomb its island soon to eradicate 'killer' mice</a>

The Eswatini monarchy spokesperson dismissed any suggestion of marriage being a political alliance. He said instead the marriage is happening because of love.

"Love has no eyes to see or count age. Love happens between two people. It can happen between a person who is 100 years old and a person who is above the average of what is permitted constitutionally," he told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

King Mswati and the former South African president Zuma are already relatives through marriage.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;South Africa: Ramaphosa takes oath as President, coalition govt in SA

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Eswatini king has been on the throne for the last 38 years and has been often accused of living a luxurious polygamous life while most of his people suffer in poverty.&nbsp;

Eswatini, previously known as Swaziland, has a population of 1.1 million and one of the world’s highest rates of HIV/Aids infection.

Zuma, on the other hand, resigned in disgrace over corruption allegations during his presidency and still faces a court case over the 1999 arms deal, though he denies wrong-doing. However, the 82-year-old is respected by his supporters for upholding his cultural and traditional Zulu beliefs.

The former South African president also had several wives and is thought to have 20 children.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africas-former-president-jacob-zuma-expelled-from-anc-745281">South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma expelled from his ANC party</a>

Nomcebo was dressed in the bright colours of the Eswatini kingdom on the last day of the reed dance on Monday. &nbsp;Also, known as the Umhlanga ceremony, it is intended to discourage those taking part from becoming sexually active at a young age.&nbsp;

This is not the first time that King Mswati III has chosen a young bride at&nbsp;the Umhlanga ceremony. In 2005, he chose 17-year-old Phindile Nkambule as his wife, a few days after he had revoked a ban on sexual relations for girls younger than 18.

(With inputs from agencies)

Girls in Pakistan are 'born to stay home and follow traditions,' he said adding, 'shockingly, this tradition has reached America's shores'

The 21-year-old daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma is set to marry the Eswatini king “for love” and become his 16th wife, a spokesman for Africa’s last remaining monarchy told BBC. Nomcebo Zuma was present at the annual reed dance—a traditional celebration of passage for young women and girls—and was named as the liphovela (italics), meaning royal fiancee in Swati. The days-long reed dance is a traditional rite of womanhood, with young women singing and dancing bare-chested, wearing traditional clothing that includes anklets and thick colourful tassels, some carrying mock swords and shields. The 56-year-old Eswatini monarch, King Mswati II is currently in a polygamous arrangement with 11 wives—and has been married 15 times in total. Also Read | South Africa plans to bomb its island soon to eradicate 'killer' mice The Eswatini monarchy spokesperson dismissed any suggestion of marriage being a political alliance. He said instead the marriage is happening because of love. "Love has no eyes to see or count age. Love happens between two people. It can happen between a person who is 100 years old and a person who is above the average of what is permitted constitutionally," he told the BBC’s Newsday programme. King Mswati and the former South African president Zuma are already relatives through marriage. Watch | South Africa: Ramaphosa takes oath as President, coalition govt in SA × Eswatini king has been on the throne for the last 38 years and has been often accused of living a luxurious polygamous life while most of his people suffer in poverty. Eswatini, previously known as Swaziland, has a population of 1.1 million and one of the world’s highest rates of HIV/Aids infection. Zuma, on the other hand, resigned in disgrace over corruption allegations during his presidency and still faces a court case over the 1999 arms deal, though he denies wrong-doing. However, the 82-year-old is respected by his supporters for upholding his cultural and traditional Zulu beliefs. The former South African president also had several wives and is thought to have 20 children. Also Read | South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma expelled from his ANC party Nomcebo was dressed in the bright colours of the Eswatini kingdom on the last day of the reed dance on Monday. Also, known as the Umhlanga ceremony, it is intended to discourage those taking part from becoming sexually active at a young age. This is not the first time that King Mswati III has chosen a young bride at the Umhlanga ceremony. In 2005, he chose 17-year-old Phindile Nkambule as his wife, a few days after he had revoked a ban on sexual relations for girls younger than 18. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump talks of 'need to speak against honour killings', refers to Qandeel Baloch murder

Pakistan&#39;s social media sensation Qandeel Baloch was allegedly killed by her brother in Multan in Punjab province, becoming the latest victim of &#39;honour killing&#39; that plagues the country. 
 
The 26-year-old actor and model was killed in the central district of Multan last night, police said today. 
 
Police said she was apparently&nbsp;killed by her brother Wasim, who fled after the incident. 
 
&quot;She was suffocated to death by strangulation. It seems to be a case of honour killing but we are investigating it,&quot; district police chief Azhar Akram said. 
 
Baloch shot to fame in 2014 
 
Baloch was a media sensation known for her boldness and was also considered highly controversial. She shot to fame in Pakistan in 2014 after a video of her pouting for the camera came up on the internet. 
 
She became famous through her tireless self-promotion and &quot;selfies&quot; posted on social media and had amassed tens of thousands of followers on microblogging site Twitter.&nbsp; 
 
She had expressed her desire many times to marry ex-cricketer and opposition politician Imran Khan. 
 
Her controversial pictures with Islamic cleric Mufti Qawi recently led to the suspension of his membership &nbsp;from the Ruet-e-Hilal committee, a department that announces sighting of new moon.&nbsp; 
 
Baloch had sought security amid threats&nbsp; 
 
Her real name was Fouzia Azeem but she chose Qandeel Baloch as her pseudonym after stepping into modelling. 
 
She received threats from her family to quit modeling and also for her provocative appearances on social media. Her brother had been threatening her over her Facebook posts and videos, said the police. 
 
Three weeks ago, she had written to the interior minister, the director general of the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) and the senior superintendent of Islamabad asking them to provide security to her, Dawn reported. 
 
She had said her life was in danger and that she was being threatened via calls on her mobile number and that she did not have security measures installed in her home, the paper said. 
 
 
(PTI)

The 26-year-old controversial model had been receiving threats from her brother over Facebook posts. She said her life was in danger

Pakistan's social media sensation Qandeel Baloch was allegedly killed by her brother in Multan in Punjab province, becoming the latest victim of 'honour killing' that plagues the country. The 26-year-old actor and model was killed in the central district of Multan last night, police said today. Police said she was apparently killed by her brother Wasim, who fled after the incident. "She was suffocated to death by strangulation. It seems to be a case of honour killing but we are investigating it," district police chief Azhar Akram said. Baloch shot to fame in 2014 Baloch was a media sensation known for her boldness and was also considered highly controversial. She shot to fame in Pakistan in 2014 after a video of her pouting for the camera came up on the internet. She became famous through her tireless self-promotion and "selfies" posted on social media and had amassed tens of thousands of followers on microblogging site Twitter. She had expressed her desire many times to marry ex-cricketer and opposition politician Imran Khan. Her controversial pictures with Islamic cleric Mufti Qawi recently led to the suspension of his membership from the Ruet-e-Hilal committee, a department that announces sighting of new moon. Baloch had sought security amid threats Her real name was Fouzia Azeem but she chose Qandeel Baloch as her pseudonym after stepping into modelling. She received threats from her family to quit modeling and also for her provocative appearances on social media. Her brother had been threatening her over her Facebook posts and videos, said the police. Three weeks ago, she had written to the interior minister, the director general of the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) and the senior superintendent of Islamabad asking them to provide security to her, Dawn reported. She had said her life was in danger and that she was being threatened via calls on her mobile number and that she did not have security measures installed in her home, the paper said. (PTI)

Brother allegedly kills Pakistan internet sensation Qandeel Baloch in apparent honour killing

A group of Pakistani clerics has issued a fatwa, a legal opinion pertaining to the Islamic law, against honour killing and anyone who indulges in such a practice.&nbsp; 
 
Hundreds of Pakistanis, the vast majority women and girls, are murdered every year by relatives when they marry against their family&#39;s wishes. Most of the suspects in honour killings are not prosecuted. 
 
The ruling by the Sunni Ittehad Council, which includes more than 100 prominent clerics, comes after a string of killings, including the killing of a 16-year-old girl who was burned to death by her mother for eloping with a younger man.&nbsp; 
 
The council has called on the government to amend laws that allow family members to &quot;forgive&quot; their sons and daughters if they marry men or women of their own choice.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It seems were are moving towards an age of barbarism,&quot; the council said in its fatwa which was issued on Sunday, a rare edict on the problem in the Muslim majority country of 190 million people. 
 
&quot;Burning women alive for marrying by their choice is against the teachings of Islam.&quot; 
 
The council is affiliated with the Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam, the largest sect in Pakistan, and holds significant influence in Punjab province, where half of the Pakistanis live. 
 
&quot;Considering any killing in the name of honour to be justified is heresy,&quot; the council said in a press release. 
 
Last Friday, a father in the eastern city of Lahore, the capital of Punjab, killed his daughter and her husband because he did not appprove of their marriage. 
 
Last month, a 16-year-old girl accused of helping a young couple elope was killed and her body was set on fire. 
 
According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan,&nbsp;more than 500 were murdered for &quot;damaging their family&#39;s honour&quot; in 2015. 
 
The toll this year, as of Monday, was 233, the group said.

According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, more than 500 were killed for marrying against their family's wishes in 2015

A group of Pakistani clerics has issued a fatwa, a legal opinion pertaining to the Islamic law, against honour killing and anyone who indulges in such a practice. Hundreds of Pakistanis, the vast majority women and girls, are murdered every year by relatives when they marry against their family's wishes. Most of the suspects in honour killings are not prosecuted. The ruling by the Sunni Ittehad Council, which includes more than 100 prominent clerics, comes after a string of killings, including the killing of a 16-year-old girl who was burned to death by her mother for eloping with a younger man. The council has called on the government to amend laws that allow family members to "forgive" their sons and daughters if they marry men or women of their own choice. "It seems were are moving towards an age of barbarism," the council said in its fatwa which was issued on Sunday, a rare edict on the problem in the Muslim majority country of 190 million people. "Burning women alive for marrying by their choice is against the teachings of Islam." The council is affiliated with the Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam, the largest sect in Pakistan, and holds significant influence in Punjab province, where half of the Pakistanis live. "Considering any killing in the name of honour to be justified is heresy," the council said in a press release. Last Friday, a father in the eastern city of Lahore, the capital of Punjab, killed his daughter and her husband because he did not appprove of their marriage. Last month, a 16-year-old girl accused of helping a young couple elope was killed and her body was set on fire. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, more than 500 were murdered for "damaging their family's honour" in 2015. The toll this year, as of Monday, was 233, the group said.

Pakistan clerics issue fatwa against honour killing

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