Hirut Terefe (PhD)Girmawit Dereje2023-12-192023-12-192023-02-20http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/1075“Honor” based violence (HBV) is a collective term for violence directed against women because it is believed their transgressions bring shame to their family or community, making HBV a global and policy concern. Literature shows that most explanations given for it are context-specific and culture-based. While all these issues pose problems, few studies have examined what they mean in Ethiopia. Seeking to strengthen knowledge, an exploratory study was conducted aimed at identifying how HBV is characterized among women living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the challenges that survivors are experiencing, and the potential legal and structural constraints in addressing HBV. Sampled seven cases were referred, and in-depth interviews with eight survivors and sixteen key informants were conducted using a phenomenological research design. In addition, one focus group discussion session was held. Accordingly, the interpretative phenomenological analysis of this study revealed that HBV is practiced with the support of the patriarchal system. The notion of “honor” play is entrenched within religious misconceptions, culture, social orientation, gender norms, and different formal institutions. Survivors face a multitude of life costing challenges. This study sheds some light on HBV, which was overlooked in the Ethiopian context; thus, it has implications for conducting further in-depth studies and may move stakeholders to bring about improvements in women's lives. Employing feminist conscious-raising and empowerment, men, and boys’ engagement through a gender transformative approach to the dealing of HBV, and government efforts to reform structural and legal frameworks to promote women's equality, as the international human rights law calls, were the findings and concluding remarks to consider.en“Gender-Based Violence”, “Honor, “Honor based violence”, “Shame”Thesis