Dur-e-Adan is a dedicated International Relations student at Government College University Lahore with a keen interest in geopolitics and diplomacy. With strong writing skills, her academic pursuits are complemented by a commitment to critical thinking and analysis.

Gender-based crimes (GBV) and acts of violence such as rape and honor killing are not a rare occurrence in South Asia. The Bengali nation was left in shock when the news of the rape and murder of a high school girl, Mitu Akhtar, from Netrokona district, Bangladesh broke out in January 2021. This is not the only circumstance, countless examples of gender-based violence have been seen in the last year, significantly increasing the concerns about so-called equality, justice, and respect for women in society.

Along with domestic violence, victim blaming and other discriminatory societal norms as well as pressure around “honor” perpetuates violence, either as a result of rape or perceived dishonor. The intersection of rape culture and honor killing reveals how the patriarchal norms of society control female sexuality, virtue, and mortality.

In South Asian states including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, rape culture and honor killing are deeply rooted in the culture and norms. There are hierarchies based particularly on patriarchal values, religious standards, caste, race, and creed systems. These hierarchies decide the fortune of the women’s bodies, behavior, and lives. Meanwhile, it is thought that the modern system will speak out about female safety, rights, and equality. However, the modern legal system has been failing to protect women in South Asian societies. A large number of rape cases have been reported in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and according to the statistics, one girl reports her rape every 15 minutes in India, the most populated country in South Asia.........

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