Report on Honor Killings in Swat, Pakistan, and their Implications for Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction: A Violation of Human Rights and Sustainable Development
Incidents of “honor killings” in the Swat district of Pakistan represent a severe violation of fundamental human rights and pose a significant obstacle to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These acts of violence, predominantly targeting women, undermine progress on gender equality, justice, and well-being. This report analyzes the prevalence of these killings, the systemic challenges in addressing them, and the role of civil society organizations, framing the issue within the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
SDG 5: Gender Equality – The Primary Casualty
The practice of honor killing is a direct assault on SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The denial of agency and the execution of women for exercising basic choices are stark indicators of the failure to meet this goal’s targets.
Case Study: A Denial of Fundamental Freedoms
The case of Farzana (pseudonym), a first-year student killed by her father and brothers for wishing to marry a partner of her choice, exemplifies the extreme consequences of gender inequality. Her murder, disguised as a death from cancer, highlights several critical issues:
- Target 5.2: The elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
- Target 5.3: The elimination of all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage.
- Target 5.5: Ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.
The psychological trauma inflicted upon her surviving sister, Gul Meena (pseudonym), further demonstrates the wide-reaching impact on women’s well-being and freedom, directly contravening SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – A Systemic Failure
The prevalence of honor killings and the impunity often enjoyed by perpetrators point to significant weaknesses in the justice system, hindering the progress of SDG 16. This goal calls for promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions.
Statistical Overview and Reporting Challenges
Data collected by the non-governmental organization “The Awakening” reveals a disturbing trend that undermines the rule of law.
- Prevalence: Between 2016 and 2022, 229 individuals were killed in the name of “honor” in Swat.
- Gender Disparity: The victims comprised 211 women and 18 men, underscoring the gendered nature of this violence and the failure to protect women, a key tenet of both SDG 5 and SDG 16.
- Underreporting: Incidents are frequently concealed. Murders are often disguised as suicides or deaths from natural causes (e.g., poisoning presented as illness) to evade legal consequences. This systematic concealment prevents justice and perpetuates a cycle of violence.
The fear of retribution, as experienced by a young couple forced to live outside Swat after a court marriage, demonstrates a lack of state protection and a failure to ensure public access to justice (Target 16.3).
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The Role of Civil Society
In the face of institutional challenges, civil society organizations are crucial for driving progress. The work of “The Awakening” exemplifies the power of partnerships (SDG 17) in advocating for human rights and the SDGs.
Multi-faceted Intervention Strategies
The organization’s efforts contribute directly to multiple SDG targets:
- Data Collection and Monitoring (SDG 16.6): By systematically collecting data from police, journalists, and lawyers, the organization develops accountable and transparent records of violence.
- Access to Justice (SDG 16.3): “The Awakening” provides legal support to victims’ families and has successfully seen 80% of its reported cases result in legal sentences for the perpetrators.
- Conflict Resolution (SDG 16.7): The creation of special family courts to mediate disputes over marriage, divorce, and domestic violence provides an alternative, responsive, and inclusive decision-making mechanism.
- Advocacy and Awareness: By working with community elders and social workers, the organization fosters partnerships to address the root causes of violence, contributing to more peaceful and inclusive societies.
However, the threats and campaigns against these human rights defenders highlight the dangerous environment for those working to uphold the principles of the SDGs, particularly SDG 16.
Conclusion: An Urgent Call for Action
Honor killings in Swat are not merely isolated crimes but a systemic issue deeply intertwined with the global objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals. Addressing this crisis requires a concerted effort to strengthen legal frameworks, ensure their enforcement, and challenge the patriarchal norms that fuel such violence. Achieving SDG 5 and SDG 16 is impossible without guaranteeing the fundamental right to life and choice for all women and girls.
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 5: Gender Equality
- The article’s central theme is ‘honour’ killings, a form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women. The report cited states that out of 229 victims in seven years, 211 were women. This directly addresses the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. The article discusses women being killed for wanting to choose their own marriage partners, a fundamental denial of their rights and autonomy.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- The article highlights significant failures in the justice system. Killings are deliberately disguised as deaths from illness (“she was suffering from cancer”) or suicide to “protect the brothers and father from any legal action.” It discusses the work of the NGO “The Awakening” in creating “special family courts” and providing legal support to ensure perpetrators are held accountable, pointing to a need for stronger, more accessible justice institutions. The fact that families can issue a “consent form” after a sentence is passed shows a weakness in the rule of law.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- The article touches upon health in several ways. The method of killing by “poisoning her tea” is a direct health impact. Furthermore, the psychological trauma is evident in the case of Gul Meena, who is now “afraid to talk to a non-male,” and the couple who are “forced to live outside Swat” in constant fear. This relates to the promotion of mental health and well-being.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The practice of ‘honour’ killing is an extreme manifestation of discrimination, where women are denied the right to make fundamental life choices, such as choosing a marriage partner.
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The article is explicitly about ‘honour’ killings, which are described as a form of violence occurring within the family (“private sphere”). The statistics provided by “The Awakening” (211 women killed) directly correspond to this target.
- Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage. The article lists “refusal of forced marriage” and “desire to marry outside the family” as common reasons for these killings. The NGO also works on cases of “underage marriage,” identifying it as a relevant harmful practice in the region.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article’s focus is on the violent act of ‘honour’ killing and provides specific data on the number of deaths (“229 people were killed… in the last seven years”).
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article details how families try to evade “any legal action” by concealing the crime. The work of “The Awakening” in reporting cases, providing legal support, and achieving an “80 percent” conviction rate for reported cases directly relates to improving access to justice for victims.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Indicators for SDG 5 Targets
- For Target 5.2: The article provides quantitative data that can serve as a direct indicator of violence against women. The statistic from “The Awakening” that “229 people were killed in the name of ‘honour’ in Swat in the last seven years,” including “211 women and 18 men,” is a specific measure. The annual breakdown (53 in 2016, 50 in 2017, etc.) allows for tracking the prevalence of this form of violence over time.
Indicators for SDG 16 Targets
- For Target 16.1: The number of victims of intentional homicide is a key indicator (Indicator 16.1.1). The article provides the raw numbers of ‘honour’ killing victims annually from 2016 to 2022. This data directly measures the “related death rates” from this specific form of violence in the Swat region.
- For Target 16.3: The article implies a low rate of official reporting for these crimes, as it states “most of the men and women who are killed… are poisoned, later such incidents are given the color of suicide.” However, it provides a specific indicator for justice being served in cases that are pursued: Irfan Hussain Babak states that “so far 80 percent of the criminals have been legally sentenced” in the cases his organization has handled. This serves as an indicator of the effectiveness of the justice system when it is accessed.
4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality |
5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.
5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as… forced marriage. |
Number of women killed in ‘honour’ killings per year (Article states 211 women killed in 7 years, with annual data provided).
Prevalence of cases related to “refusal of forced marriage” and “underage marriage” handled by local NGOs. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions |
16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
16.3: Promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all. |
Total number of victims of ‘honour’ killings (Article provides annual data: “53 in 2016, 50 in 2017, 32 in 2018…”).
Conviction rate for perpetrators in reported cases (Article mentions “80 percent of the criminals have been legally sentenced” in cases handled by the NGO). |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: …promote mental health and well-being. | Qualitative evidence of fear and psychological trauma among family members of victims and those who defy cultural norms (e.g., Gul Meena being “afraid to talk to a non-male”). |
Source: voicepk.net
