Dear JOhn,

Last week in Pakistan, a court convicted Qandeel Baloch's brother of her murder and sentenced him to life in prison.

He had confessed to killing her three years ago, saying “of course” he had murdered her. He said her acts of posting “controversial” statements and photos on social media had been “intolerable”.

Qandeel Baloch’s murder was what is known as an “honor” killing. Nearly 1000 women a year in Pakistan are burned, shot, stabbed and strangled for supposed offenses such as choosing their own husband or bringing “shame” on their family.

In 2016 the Pakistani government changed the law so that those who commit crimes in the name of “honor” could no longer be forgiven by the victim’s family. Now those convicted of "honor" killing are given a mandatory 25-year prison sentence.

The law matters.

The Baloch verdict sends a message that the government is taking this crime seriously and rejecting impunity. “Honor” is not a defense for murder. The lives of women and girls matter.

Women in Egypt are still not protected from “honor” killings

Article 237 of Egypt’s Penal Code No. 58 allows for a lesser punishment for men who kill their wives on discovering them in an act of adultery than for other forms of murder.

Stand with us to build on the progress in Pakistan and ensure that women and girls across the world are protected by the law.

Call on Prime Minister Mostafa Kemal Madbouly to change the law today.

Thank you for your continued support for the rights of women and girls.

In solidarity,

Yasmeen Hassan 

Global Executive Director, Equality Now