Neither the apparent motives for Qamar’s murder, nor the pressure on Manal are uncommon in the Middle East. Performance culture on social mediaSocial media platforms have given women in conservative societies more freedom to express themselves. But in countries where violence against females is seen as acceptable, harassment can turn physical, especially when it concerns family honor. Her family says she committed suicide but her friends believe she was murdered by her brother because of her Instagram posts. The conservative family had forbidden their daughters from using social media.

Source: Egypt Independent January 28, 2021 14:26 UTC