Fighter for dignity

Rana Husseini hopes her book will create awareness about a thorny issue.

In a society that looks down on those who raise their voice against certain traditional practices, only a few manage to put up a fight. Rana Husseini, a Jordanian journalist and author of Murder in the Name of Honour: The True Story of One Woman's Heroic Fight Against an Unbelievable Crime, ranks among the few. Her book, which has sparked off a controversy, talks about the horrors of honour killings in Jordan and why they must be stopped.

Husseini was born on June 2, 1967, in Amman. She completed her BA in Mass Communication in 1990 and Masters in Liberal Arts from Oklahoma City University in 1993. She began working as a journalist in 1993 and focused on social issues, especially those concerning women and violence against them. "I have been documenting and reporting cases of 'honour crimes' for the past 16 years. I have learnt a lot from my work. I am sure my work has helped save lives," she says. Husseini has won eight awards in journalism and human rights for her work.

When she began reporting about honour killings in early 1994, people rejected her work, saying the practice was "a family matter" and that nothing would ever change. They said she was washing Jordan's "dirty laundry" in public. "In 2000, I decided to write a book that would serve as a reference and as documentation of the problem. At that time, there was hardly any book on this issue. I wanted my book to serve as an advocacy tool for activists in other countries. Also, I wanted to document the work done in different countries, including Jordan."

Husseini started writing the book only in 2002. Launched a month ago, it has received encouraging feedback from the readers. The response from the West has been positive and the people have found the content powerful and comprehensive. Husseini is now looking forward to the reaction from the Arab world once the Arabic version of her book hits the stands.

According to Husseini, her book is not aimed at demonising Arabs or Muslims. "It is about the honour murders and violence taking place against women worldwide. In my book, I have included cases of women from many faiths who were killed," she says.

"If a female member does something that tarnishes her family's [deemed] reputation and honour, they find no other solution but to kill the woman so that they can be rid of the shame. It is all about fear. People fear what others might think of them and their daughters.

"I believe killing of women happens all over the world. The only difference is that in other parts of the world women get killed by their family members as a result of jealousy, possessiveness, control and financial reasons. In our part of the world, women get killed for 'honour'."

Honour killings are still reported from countries such as Brazil, Greece, Italy, Turkey and Pakistan. "These crimes are certainly not restricted to society, religion or nation. They are universal," Husseini says.

While writing the book, Husseini says, she felt depressed on several occasions. "I believe this is what most writers experience. You do not feel good until the book is finally in your hands and ready to be published."

Husseini feels it is very important that the media constantly address the issue and focus on the positive efforts taken in various countries. However, she added, the killings cannot be stopped without the cooperation of civil society, which must lend a helping hand to the women in need.

The government, too, must work towards drafting laws that protect the women and must establish centres that offer protection for such women.

However, questions still remain. How will the people's mentality be changed? Will such measures bring about the change?

"The mentality will change," Husseini says. "History has taught us that things will change but they do take time and a considerable amount of effort. When I look back at my own experience, I can tell you there has been a major change in the mentality of people in Jordan."

According to Husseini, the people have become more open and aware of the issue, they are raising their voice against these crimes and there is more acceptance of the work done by the government and the civil society to end these crimes. "Things are progressing in the right direction but it will take some time and it is our duty as good people in the society to make this change happen. I am optimistic and believe that a positive attitude is required," she says.

Rabis M is a writer based in London.

Murder in the Name of Honour: The True Story of One Woman's Heroic Fight Against an Unbelievable Crime By Rana Husseini, Oneworld Publications, 256 pages, £12.99