It's Plain Murder. Period.

In this day and age where men and women are already regarded as equals, it’s quite surprising to hear that there are still societies which heavily segregates men from the opposite sex. Worse, these groups often discriminate against women in terms of rights and privileges.

I don’t want to foment social or cultural hatred, so I won’t mention the social or ethnic groups which deny their women the equal protection of the laws.

There’s this one group of people in Asia which cheapens the value of the lives of their women by permitting “honor killings.” The reason or principle behind the “enlightened” suicide is anything but honorable or valid, though. Women in this part of the world could be instantly killed if they interact with the opposite sex outside the permitted venues.

I have been taught to respect cultures no matter how different or absurd they may be. However, a culture or society which encourages the killing of a member for bringing shame to the family deserves neither a tinge of respect nor understanding. The death records of the victims of these senseless killings should be taken out of their drawers and be used to slap the faces of the deceased’s family members who consented to the murder.