The world is saddened by the murder of Pakistani social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch on Sunday, July 17, 2016. The 26-year-old was killed by her brother, who shows no regret over the crime conducted and had confessed he strangled her for “honour”.

The Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) condemns the act of so-called ‘honour killing’ as a woman has all her rights to be responsible over her beliefs towards equality, without being judged or punished to death by other individuals. PWDC totally object to ‘honour killing’, as it is the ultimate weapon on gender oppression. It is committed by family members who should be the most trusted people and happens mostly in sanctuary of their homes.

Statistic shows that over 500 people, mostly women were killed in Pakistan each year under the name of ‘honour killing’. That the crime act has seemed to become a ‘culture’ in the local community. Globally, while data is not fully recorded, there are about 5,000 honour killings per year. Sadly, honour killing is not confined to developing or under-developed countries, as it also happens in western countries.

We urge the local authorities in Pakistan, as well as, the world’s to be proactive towards threats posted towards such individuals, especially women who strive to uphold their belief towards social justice and equality. Proper education and awareness campaigns need to be in place for a change to happen.

Qandeel Baloch is a young woman who possesses high integrity towards justice and trying to influence, as well as empower her peers through the accessible channels despite being repeatedly threatened to death.

A woman as great as Qandeel Baloch should always be remembered and this should be a distressingly grief for the world as gender violence should never be allowed to take place.

The PENANG WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (PWDC) was established in November 2011, with funding from the state. PWDC works towards the transformation of Penang into an advanced and progressive society through the promotion of equality among all women and men, girls and boys, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or socioeconomic background. For more information, please log on to pwdc.org.my