Violence and oppression in the name of honour
Many people in our society are affected by violence and oppression in the name of honour. Thousands of individuals live a life marked by unfreedom and the fear of being subjected to threats, coercion or violence by parents, siblings or other family members. The Government has invested in two action plans containing measures to prevent and hinder violence and oppression in the name of honour.
Photo: Nordic Photos
A survey by the National Board of Health and Welfare in 2007 and by the National Board for Youth Affairs in 2009 - "Frihet och ansvar - om gymnasieungdomars upplevda frihet att själva bestämma över sina liv" and "Gift mot sin vilja" respectively ("Freedom and Responsibility - on the experienced freedom of upper secondary pupils to make their own decisions in life' and "Married against their will") - show that a link exists between violence and oppression in the name of honour and marrying against one's will. Children and young people are a particular risk group.
Young people are anxious about not being allowed to decide who they will marry
- It has been estimated that approximately 70 000 people between the ages of 16 and 25 feel that their parents´ views, religion or culture restrict who they can marry.
- An estimated 8500 of these are anxious about not being allowed to decide who they will marry.
- There are indications that youth vulnerability may be more widespread in certain urban areas.
- There are indications that government agencies do not take action until the situation becomes threatening for the young person involved.
Two action plans to combat violence and oppression
Combating violence and oppression is a priority issue for the Government. In 2007-2010 two action plans have been adopted: Action Plan to combat men's violence against women, violence and oppression in the name of honour and violence in same-sex relations (Govt. Communication 2007/08:39) and Action plan to prevent and hinder young people from marrying against their will' (Govt. Communication 2009/10:229). The Government has invested more than SEK 1 million to enhance preventive efforts, increase protection and support to victims, improve the quality and efficiency of the judicial system, develop initiatives aimed at people who use violence, increase collaboration between various agencies and strengthen knowledge development.
Violence and oppression in the name of honour also affects homosexual, bisexual and transsexual people, as shown for example in the National Board for Youth Affairs report analysing the health situation of young homosexual, bisexual and transsexual people ("Hon, hen, han - en analys av hälsosituationen för homosexuella och bisexuella ungdomar samt för unga transpersoner", 2010).
Violence and oppression in the name of honour
Violence and oppression in the name of honour, as well as men's violence against women in general, are rooted in cultural conceptions of gender, power and sexuality. The concept of honour is centred on notions of virginity and chastity, and the family's reputation and good name is seen as depending on the real or alleged behaviour of the girls and women in the family. Control can range from restrictions in daily life - for example, what clothes can be worn, who to socialise with and freedom of movement - to life choices such as education, occupation, marriage and divorce. Boys, homosexual and bisexual people, and people of transgender identity and expression can also be affected. In its extreme form, this control may lead to threats of violence, including lethal violence.
