MP: ‘My mum killed the man who abused her – but we’d see her as a victim today’
MP: ‘My mum killed the man who abused her – but we’d see her as a victim today’
Labour MP Naz Shah shared her mother’s story with Sky News, revealing how years of abuse culminated in a tragic act of violence. Her account highlights the enduring cultural pressures within South Asian communities that silence women and shift blame onto them.
Memorable Insights from a New Memoir
Ms. Shah discussed her experiences during an interview with Sarah-Jane Mee on UK Tonight, reflecting on her recently published memoir titled Honoured: Survival, Strength And My Path to Politics. The book delves into the challenges her family faced, including the struggle for dignity and autonomy.
“My earliest recollection was of my father striking my mother,” Ms. Shah recounted. “She endured further torment when her husband left her, leading her to form a relationship with Azam, whom she called ‘uncle’.”
A Story of Isolation and Exploitation
At age six, her mother’s husband abandoned the family, leaving Zoora to navigate a life of hardship. Azam, who initially appeared as a supportive figure, soon became the source of her suffering. With three young children and limited financial resources, Zoora relied on his help to secure a home. However, this dependence masked years of sexual abuse.
“She was vulnerable, trapped in a foreign land, illiterate, and living in poverty. Her circumstances left her isolated, and that’s how she was exploited,” Ms. Shah explained.
Tragic Consequences and Justice
Zoora’s decision to kill Azam with arsenic came after more than a decade of abuse and fears of her children facing the same fate. The act led to her conviction and a 20-year prison sentence, as the court viewed her as a woman driven by desperation rather than a victim of systemic injustice.
“She was punished for defending her family, not for surviving abuse. Today, we’d recognize her as a survivor, not a criminal,” Ms. Shah emphasized.
Reforming Cultural Norms
The Bradford West MP criticized the rigid honor system that dictated her mother’s actions. She believes the concept of ‘izzat’—a cultural ideal tied to female modesty—must be redefined to place responsibility on men for their misconduct. This mirrors the societal shift inspired by France’s Gisèle Pelicot, who championed victims of sexual violence.
“Men benefit from the honor system, while women carry its weight. If the jury had known the full story, they might have seen her differently,” Ms. Shah noted.
Call for a New Perspective
Ms. Shah advocates for a reversal of the shame assigned to women, urging the South Asian community to embrace accountability for male actions. She argues that modern justice systems should reflect this change, allowing women to be recognized as survivors rather than transgressors in cases of abuse.
