'Honour killings' more than double in Sudan
October 13, 2022, 10:00 am

'Honour killings' more than double in Sudan

Sudan-Protests in Sudan/Shutterstock

Campaigners and officials in Sudan are concerned about a rise in so-called honour killings, the BBC reported.

So far this year at least 11 young women have been killed by family members, more than double last year's total - though the real number is thought to be much higher, it said.

In some cases women have been killed for using a smartphone, with a relative suspecting they were sending messages to a boyfriend. Relationships before marriage are illegal in Sudan.

The government's efforts to deal with the issue are being hampered by the ongoing instability in the country, particularly since the military coup last year.

Sulaima Ishaq Al Khalifa, the director general of the government's Combatting Violence Against Women unit, says fathers involved in the killings get light sentences because they are considered to be the breadwinners of their families.

Relationships before marriage are illegal in Sudan - Photo. Facebook page

She told the BBC Newsday programme that "honour killings" were not embedded within Sudan's society, but there was suspicion that religious extremism was behind the recent surge.

Sudanese protesters reach Republican Palace, demand civilian rule

Honor killing involves the murder of a woman or girl by male family members. It is also known as shame killing, and it is often connected to religion, caste and other forms of hierarchical social stratification, or to sexuality.

The killers justify their actions by claiming that the victim has brought dishonor upon the family name, reputation or prestige.

levantnews-BBC

Stunning Roman-era mosaic unearthed in Syria’s Homs district Biden designates WWII-era training site in Colorado as national monument

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”