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 recounted her mother’s ordeal with Sky News, shedding light on how abuse shaped her life and led to a tragic act of violence. She emphasized the need to shift societal blame, mirroring the approach taken by French activist Gisèle Pelicot in supporting survivors of sexual assault.
Early Memories of Abuse
Her earliest recollection was of her father physically assaulting her mother. At six years old, Shah witnessed her parents’ turmoil when her father fled with a neighbor. However, the true hardship began for Zoora, the mother, who endured prolonged abuse from Azam, a man she referred to as “uncle.”
“You have a 23-year-old with three young children… and then you’re exploited sexually. Now we understand, you know, the vulnerability of that woman.”
The Struggle for Survival
Zoora’s situation worsened as she faced financial struggles and isolation. Azam initially appeared as a savior, helping her secure a home. But his support masked years of sexual abuse. Concerned about her children, Zoora eventually poisoned Azam with arsenic, leading to his death. She was convicted of murder and received a 20-year prison sentence.
“She gets sentenced to 20 years in prison because she’s seen as a woman who was just trying to have this house, rather than the destitute, desperate woman that she actually was at the time.”
Systemic Inequality and Cultural Shifts
Shah highlighted how the justice system disproportionately treats women, especially within South Asian communities. The concept of ‘izzat’—or honor—placed the burden of shame on Zoora, discouraging her from revealing the truth about Azam’s abuse. She argued that today, the narrative would likely be different.
“From my mother’s perspective, the whole concept of honour was the thing that held her back. I remember the foreman of the jury at the time saying once he learned about her story, he said, ‘had I known about this, then potentially I wouldn’t have found her guilty for murder’.”
A Call for Change
Shah urged the South Asian community to challenge patriarchal norms, shifting blame onto men for their actions. She compared this to Gisèle Pelicot’s efforts in France, advocating for a reversal of shame to empower victims. “It’s just literally like Gisèle Pelicot was talking about, we need to flip the shame,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of cultural reform.
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