Honor killings in the Middle East and North Africa: a systematic review of the literature.
A systematic review of the research literature on honor killings in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) indicates a paucity of studies relative to the presumed magnitude of the problem. Forty articles were reviewed and critically appraised, of which only 9 contained primary data and 11 presented original secondary analyses. Despite a recent increase in published studies, persistent methodological limitations restrict the generalizability of findings. Most studies focus on legal aspects, determinants, and characteristics of victims and perpetrators. Victims are mostly young females murdered by their male kin. Unambiguous evidence of a decline in tolerance of honor killings remains elusive.
Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, Maternal and Child Health Concentration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 320 Ryals School of Public Health,1665 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA. andrzej@uab.edu
Andrzej
A
Kulczycki
Sarah
S
Windle
D000352:Africa, Northern; D019548:Crime Victims; D057237:Criminals; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East; D011639:Public Opinion; D012945:Social Values