Honor Killings in Algeria: The Effect of the Hirak Movement

Proceedings of ‏The 3rd International Conference on Research in Social Sciences and Humanities

Year: 2021

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/3rd.icrsh.2021.05.35

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Honor Killings in Algeria: The Effect of the Hirak Movement

Dr. Shaul M. Gabbay

ABSTRACT: 

During and following Algeria’s Black Decade, women suffered inordinately. Incidents of honor killings and femicide were rampant. However, despite their societal constraints, these women did not suffer quietly. They marched in the streets and demanded justice—a novelty at the time in the Maghreb. Still, not soon after the dust settled, women’s demands were shoved to the back burner and honor-related brutality continued relatively unabated. Indeed, violence against women remains deplorably high throughout the country, and even though changes to the “Family Law” have been addressed, they are nowhere near sufficient. The Hirak Movement presents a new window of opportunity for the advancement of women’s rights in the country. It also presents its own challenges. This paper will address the efficacy of women in the movement, taking into consideration the socio-political realities on the ground in Algeria. Ultimately, this work focuses on these three, interrelated inquiries: Can the Hirak Movement provide a channel for fulfilling the unfinished work of women’s rights in Algeria? What does the movement actually portend in terms of finally addressing honor violence and femicide in a legitimate and applied manner? What are the challenges and outlooks moving forward?

Keywords: Honor killings, Algeria, Hirak Movement.