Has there been any progress in stopping honour killings?
Jordan is a very good example of progress. If I look back to where I started to today, there have been tremendous changes. For example, in 2009 there was the first ever special tribunal to try men who kill in family honour. For the first time the court refused the family’s request to drop charges. The man got 15 years. This is a major change. Civil society has been active and the government is talking about changing some laws. Q: In what way has the Jordanian government stepped in? A: In Jordan, work has been done on all levels, starting with the royal family and at the grassroots level. Queen Rania has been outspoken. Even King Hussein has been active in addressing the issue of domestic violence and women and children. When you have a leader of a country talking about this issue, it’s important – and something you don’t see in many countries. Q: Do you see any changes in the attitudes of men? A: In the past when I lectured, men would raise their hands and say, ‘I would kill my sister;
