Father kills daughter for refusing to delete TikTok account

In Pakistan, a tragic incident unfolded when a father shot and killed his 16-year-old daughter after she rejected his demand to delete her TikTok account. This occurred in Rawalpindi, near the capital city of Islamabad, highlighting ongoing issues related to the societal norms surrounding women's behavior in the country. The murder took place on a Tuesday, and the father managed to escape initially, while the family attempted to misrepresent the act as a suicide. However, police investigations swiftly uncovered the truth and led to the father's arrest. The father expressed his displeasure regarding his daughter's use of the platform, which is increasingly popular among the younger demographic in Pakistan. Encouraged by its accessibility, especially for those with low literacy levels, women have found avenues for income and social interaction online, which is rare in a country where fewer than 25% of women participate in the formal workforce. This situation sheds light on the restrictive environment that women navigate, particularly in conservative regions where digital visibility comes with significant risks. Honor-based violence remains prevalent in Pakistan, where strict codes of behavior dictate the lives of women, often leading to severe consequences for those who defy expectations set by male relatives. As noted by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, hundreds of women are killed each year under the pretext of protecting family honor. Despite some legislative reforms aimed at curbing honor killings, enforcement remains challenging, allowing such acts of violence to continue troublingly. As trends in social media continue to grow, so too does the risk associated with engagement on these platforms, particularly for women. The roots of this tragic incident lie in the broader context of gender discrimination and the cultural pressures exerted on women in Pakistan, where digital platforms not only offer opportunities but also expose them to the dangers linked to social norms that prioritize male authority over female autonomy.