Izzat (Hindi: इज़्ज़त; Urdu: عزت; Bengali: ইজ্জত) is a concept of honour that is prevalent in North India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. It applies universally across religions, communities, and genders. Broadly speaking, izzat primarily refers to the reputation of oneself and one's family in the eyes of society. Maintaining this societal reputation by all necessary means is considered obligatory upon every man and woman, as is revenge or punishment upon those who have or are perceived as having directly or indirectly violated it.
The concept of izzat has been viewed as curtailing the freedom and rights of women, yet characterised on a general level as a concept that cuts across social hierarchy and enforces "equality in giving, but also equality in vengeance." The idea of reciprocity, in both friendship and enmity, is deeply embedded in izzat. It is required, for example, that a person goes to any lengths to come to the assistance of those who had previously helped them in their time of need, and to fail to do so is to dishonour one's debt and thereby lose izzat.
___Norm_of_reciprocity_q.jpg)