Where's the honor in that?

A 25 year old pregnant Pakistani woman was stoned to death by her family.  Why?  Because she married the man she loves.

 
In this day and age where people are so concerned about women’s rights, - reproductive health, breaking the glass ceiling and getting equal pay,I find it did hard to accept that some women are still
being killed for practicing what is obviously every person’s basic right – the right to love.
 
Killed and mistreated by their own families, no less.
 
In some cultures, this is termed as “honor killing”.  A tradition practiced in some countries of killing a family member who is believed to have brought shame to the family.

Victims are usually women who refuse arranged marriages or are in a relationship not approved by their family.  In some instances, being a victim of rape and domestic abuse can also cause  women to be sentenced to death.

In some countries like Turkey, they even have what is termed as “forced suicide” which is a substitute to honor killing.
 
But why the killing and why mostly women?  Is it because we value our women less?
 
There is nothing wrong with upholding one’s family honor.  But if we wrongly use that “honor” to hurt and kill women who dared to think differently and defy oppressing social norms or women
who are victims of abuse, then we are only encouraging discrimination, violence and injustice.
 
Honor killing is an illusion. It is a pathetic excuse for violent men to attack helpless women.

And there is no honor in killing anyone, especially one whose only sin is to love.