Women have the right to live their lives as they choose. Women are not property, nor are they incompetent. Women have the same opportunities to thrive in society as any man, but some customs and traditions of some cultures prevent women from reaching those levels. Culturally traditional men want complete dominance over their women. But who can blame them, that's how they were raised and these things have been ingrained in them since they were children. When you think of the virtues of a culture, you automatically think of the behavior of women in their family context. A woman is gold in every society, but still she is treated as property. It can be said with certainty that a person's honor depends on a woman. “The United Nations estimates that at least 5,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by family members last year” (Autumn, 2001). “Honor” crimes are acts of violence typically perpetuated against women that violate broader cultural standards against sexuality and marriage. When a woman violates sexual or marital standards within a culture, her actions bring shame and dishonor and to eliminate dishonor within the family, killing is the only way. “Honour killings aim to maintain women's sexual exclusivity” (Barker et al, 1999). In most cases, honor killings are especially present in the cultures of the Islamic areas of South Asia and the Middle East. Unfortunately, this culture is also prevalent in some parts of Indian society. “Crimes that lead to honor killings include leaving home without permission, rumors of losing premarital virginity, allegations of flirting and illegitimate sexual contact. These charges also do not require the woman's consent to take place. Rape victims, for example, ... middle of paper ... dishonor can be brought into the family. “Women who pursue their claims in court often lose due to the inherently male-dominated justice system. Victims of domestic violence are often told that they will bring shame on their families by reporting such crimes and are discouraged from contacting the police” (Lasson, 2009). If this happens in Western countries, the perpetrator tries to claim cultural defense. The cultural defense is a defense to prosecution for a criminal act that, according to the defendant, arises from his or her cultural background. This defense can be used in cases involving female genital mutilation, domestic violence, acid throwing and honor killings. “The idea of ​​cultural defense violates the principles of equal protection and the fundamental principle that society has the right to govern protection against crimes” (Morgan, Parker, 2009).