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Writer's pictureNilsu Aydınay

A Look at Women’s Struggles in Iran

Updated: Nov 17

On November 2nd, a female student from Tehran’s Islamic Azad University was arrested after stripping down to her underwear to publicly protest against harassment relating to the country’s strict dress code. It was revealed that the student is Ahou Daryaei, a 30-year-old French language student. Videos posted on social media show the woman removing her clothes and walking on the street in her underwear. In another video, she is being bundled into a car by men in plain clothes.



According to an Iranian student social media channel, she had previously been harassed and beaten for not wearing a headscarf by members of the Basij, which is an Iranian volunteer paramilitary group tasked with enforcing the country’s draconian dress code. Iran’s dress code mandates women to wear loose-fitting clothes and headscarves in public.


The fate of the woman is still unknown, though various media sources reported that a police report stated that the woman had a mental disorder and she was transferred from the police station to a treatment center, but the kind of treatment she would receive remains unknown. Following this incident, human rights defenders highlighted that Iranian authorities often label female protesters as mentally ill and refer them to psychiatric facilities in an effort to discredit and silence them.


Growing numbers of women defying authorities by removing their veils following nationwide protests sparked in 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurdish woman who died in police custody after allegedly violating hijab rules. Over 500 protesters were reportedly killed during the nationwide protests, and this has highlighted the struggle for women's rights in Iran. For decades, Iranian women have been subjected to systemic oppression and inequality, particularly following the Islamic Revolution which became a milestone in Iran’s history.


The Pahlavi dynasty of Iran was overthrown after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, leading to the establishment of the Islamic Republic under the leadership of Khomeini. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's regime was regarded as oppressive and he was perceived as a non-Muslim puppet of Western powers by many due to his efforts to align Iran closely with the U.S. and implement pro-Western modernizing reforms. His authoritarian rule led to opposition, causing anti-government protests. The protests rapidly escalated into violence and spread throughout Iran. Thousands of women also actively participated alongside their male counterparts. Pahlavi was forced to flee the country and Khomeini became Supreme Leader in 1979. The Islamic Republic was established following a referendum, in which 98% of the public approved the Islamic republic and Khomeini’s leadership.



Many had believed that the revolution would bring a brighter future, however, it ultimately marked the end of modern Iran. Iran had made significant progress toward modernization during the Pahlavi regime, including advancements in women's rights, education, and employment. However, after the revolution, the modernization progress was demolished by the imposition of restrictive laws and policies, especially for women.


Legislative changes following the revolution diminished women's rights and imposed strict restrictions in almost every field. The hijab was made mandatory with a imprisonment penalty for those who violate the law. Men were granted greater authority over divorce and family matters, and the legal marriage age for girls was lowered. Women's access to education and employment was also limited and many women were excluded from certain professions and fields of study. Public life was reshaped as gender segregation limited women and took their rights to freely engage in cultural activities and use public spaces such as parks, beaches, and public transportation away. Women retained the right to vote, however, their political participation was severely restricted.


Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, had promised to end morality police patrols. However, a recent hijab and chastity bill, which imposes harsh penalties on women who violate mandatory hijab rules imply that Pezeshkian does not stand by his words. Project Noor was launched in April to enforce hijab regulations by deploying policemen and Basij paramilitary units to public spaces and applying facial recognition technology to university entry gates to block the entry of students deemed to be violating the regime’s dress code.



Iranian women have been resisting oppressive policies for decades through protests, activism, and civil disobedience. Campaigns like the One Million Signatures (2006) and social media-driven movements like #MyStealthyFreedom and White Wednesdays brought international attention to their cause. Despite threats, harassment and imprisonment, Iranian women continue to advocate for their rights, demanding greater freedom and challenging discriminatory laws.



Edited by: Derya Selin Yener, Oya Yamaç

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