Pakistan, March 29 -- In the intricate tapestry of societal norms, the term "honor killing" stands as a paradox, embodying the disturbing notion of preserving honor through the act of taking a life. Growing up in Pakistan, I have witnessed firsthand the chilling reality of this practice, which continues to cast a shadow over our communities, perpetuating cycles of violence and oppression.

The fragility of male ego, amplified by societal constructs of masculinity, fuels the propensity for violence in the name of honor. Men, indoctrinated into a system that equates honor with control over women's behavior, resort to coercion and violence as a means of asserting dominance and preserving their perceived authority.

The concept of honor killi...