features January 4, 2012 - Over the Edge IN THE NAME OF “HONOUR™ Honour Killings = Violence against Women LAURA BEVACQUA FEATURES EDITOR he Shafia sisters and Moham- [ove Shafia’s first wife, Rona Amir Mohammed, were found dead on June 30, 2009 in the Ri- deau Canal near Kingston, Ontario. Mohammad Shafia, his second wife Tooba Mohammad Yahya, and their son Hamed were charged with four counts of first degree murder and con- spiracy to commit murder. All have pleaded guilty to the charges. In 1999, Tulay Goren was alleged- ly killed by her father in London and her body disposed of with the help of his brothers because she began a re- lationship with a man who followed a different branch of Islam. Her body was never found. On New Year’s Eve 2008 a man identified as Onder B stabbed his wife in the eyes, beat her with a bil- liard cue, and then ran her over in his car because she was allegedly ‘too independent.’ The man was found guilty in 2009 and sentenced to life in prison. These types of murders were com- mitted across the globe throughout the years yet many reports have sug- gested that they all share something in common known as an “honour kill- ing.’ Honour killings remain a domin- ant ideology and practice throughout many radical non-Western commun- ities today. An honor killing refers to an ancient tradition in which a male family member kills a female family member out of orthodox and societal disapproval in order to “save” the family name. The female is often sub- jected to torture, rape, and death as her “unorthodox” behaviour and life- style go against traditional customs and practices. Essentially, honour killings are gross forms of violence against women. Women’s Rights laws are often poorly throughout recognized and _ enforced different communities. As we enter 2012, vio- cultures and lence against women continues to re- main a critical human rights issue af- fecting all races and nations, although mainstream media has reported that the majority of honour killings are in- cidents, which typically happen in the practiced, police and government of- ficials over the last two years have begun to implement the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law throughout Afghanistan, reported the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in November 2011. The law criminalizes 22 types of violence against women, includ- ing rape, forced marriage, self-im- molation, child marriage, “baad” (the where the government is in control,” Wahab said in a 2011 UN Report on Women’s Rights in Afghanistan. “Un- fortunately, only 20 percent of cases involving violence against women make it to the government; the other 80 percent are either solved by tribal elders or the Taliban.” Wahab also said that because Kunar was a tribal society, as is most of Afghanistan, and it is considered shameful to take one’s nd Women publicly sentenced to stonning punishment Middle East. The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan in 2006 reported that ‘most cases of honour killings go unreported, and perpetra- tors rarely face justice.’ A UN rights watchdog has expressed continuing concern over violence against women in Afghanistan as police and judicial authorities have often turned a blind eye to the practice. Though inconsistent and unevenly THE NASTY FLU Remedies to Combat the Flu LAURA BEVACQUA FEATURES EDITOR and, as many of you know, symptoms include headache, sore throat, T is the season to catch the flu. The viral infection attacks the entire body cough, fever, chills, aches and pains. The flu is contagious and can be easily spread. It has been said that the changes in flu strains each year makes it challenging to develop 100 percent effective flu vaccines. If you’ve ever had the cold or the flu you know how awful it can be and what a toll it can take. Here are some remedies and recommendations to help you get through the nasty bug. Vitamin C Eat oranges several times a day. Even one orange a day is a great source of vitamin C that will help you to relieve cold symptoms and block further in- fection. Chamomile or Lavender Bath A hot bath with chamomile or laven- der will produce steam you can inhale to clear a stuffy nose and relax the muscles. Antioxidants Eat bell peppers and other vegetables. Drink freshly squeezed juices from carrots, parsley and green apples, as a supply of antioxidant nutrients. It also helps to boost your immune system and makes for faster recovery from colds. Honey and Lemon Tea Mix 2 teaspoons honey and | tea- spoon lemon juice with 1 cup of boil- tradition of giving a girl or woman to settle a dispute) and more than a dozen others. Former prosecutor Abdul Wahab from the eastern province of Kunar, bordering Pakistan, said that while the region had a lot of cases of violence against women, very few made it to the authorities. Many people lived in rural areas where there was no gov- ernment and the Taliban remained in control. “We do see change in areas ing hot water. Allow it to cool a bit, then drink. Typically, up to 4 cups a day is suggested. Honey is also used to soothe a cough. Microwaving the Toothbrush To prevent colds, flu, and other sick- nesses, Reader’s Digest recommends that once or twice a week you run your toothbrush through the micro- wave on high for 10 seconds immedi- ately before brushing. If someone in your home is sick, you may want to sterilize it in the microwave each time you brush. If you’re the one who’s sick, after the illness passes, ditch your old toothbrush and replace it with a new one. Good ol’ Chicken Soup Generations of parents and grandpar- ONLINE SOURCE case to the government. In addition, women often with- drew complaints after a mediation process. While the law provides for mediation in some cases of violence against women, Gagnon said, there was concern that serious crimes were mediated rather than prosecuted. The report details an incident in Daikundi province in central Afghanistan, when tribal elders mediated in a case in- volving a man stabbing his sister-in- ents advocate chicken soup as a calm- ing and tasty remedy when feeling down and out. Chicken soup may be soothing because of its possible anti- inflammatory and mucus-thinning ef- fects. Garlic Garlic is one of the more popular home cures for colds. Many cultures have a home remedy for the cold using garlic, whether it’s chicken soup with lots of garlic, a drink made with raw crushed garlic, or if it just involves law multiple times rather than taking it through official channels. Women and girls are being beaten, burned, drowned and stoned to death by their fathers, brothers, uncles and other male relatives or clan members who accuse them of bringing shame onto the family and community. Pol- itical and social climates in Iraq for example, allow public displays of honour killings to occur as author- ities often do not intervene and set the stage for grim and deliberate slow punishments. Islam is known as the religion of peace and strongly oppose violence against women but extreme Taliban tribes for example, continue to engage in heinous violence and domination over women as if their lives are meaningless. It has been said that cultures of violence and ruthless governments continue to maintain a patriarchal society where women and children are the most vulnerable within the society. The United Nations estimates that some 5,000 women are victims of honour killings around the world each year. These murders happen for many reasons including the dishonour that a woman or girl has brought upon her family or community such as leav- ing a marriage, refusing an arranged matriage, pursuing her passion, or dressing ‘inappropriately.’ Honour killings are barbaric, violent acts against women. International bodies and activists agree that there is much groundwork that needs to be laid in order to curb and prevent such ex- treme violence. There is nothing hon- ourable about honour killings. ONLINE SOURCE eating raw The cold-fighting garlic. compound in garlic is thought to be allicin, which has demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal properties. Be cautious about taking too much garlic. Some possible side effects and safety con- cerns include bad breath and body odor, which are most common, how- ever, dizziness, sweating, headache, fever, chills, and runny nose have also been reported.