My 15-year-old relative was killed for refusing to marry her cousin. My family celebrated by dancing in the street
Horrified by the recent murder of Kawthar al-Husayjawi, one of her female relatives describes what happened – and her fears for other women and girls forced into early marriage in Iraq
TL;DR
- Kawthar Bashar al-Husayjawi, 15, was brutally murdered by male relatives in al-Nahrawan, Baghdad.
- Her family celebrated her death with dancing and festivities.
- Kawthar had been forced into an early marriage at 13, fled an abusive husband, and later refused a second arranged marriage due to the groom's involvement in drug and alcohol dealing.
- After fleeing her family home, she was abducted and allegedly assaulted, but her family refused to believe her account.
- Her father, uncle, and fiancé interrogated her before taking her to an open area where she was killed.
- The author expresses fear of police corruption and the ease with which men commit murder in Iraq.
- The article discusses Iraqi law's leniency towards 'honor' killings and the vulnerability of girls forced into early marriage.
- The author and other women in the family are trying to bring attention to the case to seek justice for Kawthar and prevent similar tragedies.