TERRE DES FEMMES Schweiz

Honour-based violence

According to estimates by the UNO, at least 5,000 women and girls are killed throughout the world each year in connection with the loss of honour. While the general public in Switzerland merely registers the highly media-driven and most massive cases of honour killing, honour-based violence is also carried out in everyday life, whether within families, couple relationships or between young people (including women) and adult men.

Forms of violence committed on the basis of honour are among the so-called «harmful customary and traditional practices» that are specifically carried out against women (United Nations High Commissioner's Office for Human Rights). They violate human rights, such as the right of physical and psychological integrity, freedom and self-determination.

The level of awareness that has been raised in Switzerland for these reasons and the justification of honour-based violence is still very low. For this reason, TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland promotes a broad, professional discussion and the development of specific solutions for prevention, intervention and protection.

Go to What is honour-based violence?