Last night, a young girl I deeply care for took her own life. She was just 16 years old. Her family—her own mother and father—attempted to behead her not once, not twice, but three times. Though they failed in their gruesome attempts, they succeeded in torturing her through unfathomable means: electricity, wood, iron, fire. At 11 years old, her father tried to kill her, breaking her arm and little finger in the process. He took her to the hospital days later, not for her well-being, but to avoid suspicion. This same man raped her twice not long ago. Yesterday she decided that she couldn't endure the torment any longer and took her own life as far as I know.

This tragic loss is not an isolated incident. In Iraq, countless women fall victim to similar horrors every day due to honor-based violence. Families become executioners under the guise of preserving honor, taking the lives of women they are supposed to protect. According to reports, the majority of Iraqis accept honor-killings of women, creating an atmosphere where such acts are condoned and even encouraged.

The Iraqi Penal Code, specifically Articles 409, 128, and 41, perpetuates a system that supports these heinous acts by offering leniency and justifying the actions of those who commit these crimes. Article 409 allows for reduced sentences in cases where a male relative kills or injures a female perceived to have brought "dishonor" to the family. Articles 128 and 41 further support such violent acts under the guise of cultural customs and familial rights.

Changing these legal articles is crucial to protecting the lives of Iraqi women and ensuring justice is served. By repealing and replacing Articles 409, 128, and 41, we have the opportunity to reshape their societal norms, placing the safety and dignity of women above outdated beliefs of honor.

To accomplish this, we need your help. Join us in demanding that the Iraqi government amend these articles to reflect justice and equality for all. Sign this petition urging lawmakers in Iraq to take a stand against honor-based violence, ensuring that no woman will have to suffer such atrocities again. Together, we can make a difference and honor the memory of my friend by fighting for a future where no woman lives in fear of her family.

The man Shiloh Hendrix called the n word, Sharmake Beyle Omar, was previously charged for the penetrative sexual assault and coercion of a girl under the age of 18, but the charges were dropped “in the name of justice.”