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"In Iran, the hijab is not just a piece of cloth; it is a symbol of oppression and a battleground for freedom." —An Iranian activist
Illustration by The Geostrata
For a long time, the imposition of hijab and chastity laws in Iran has been a source of contention among gender rights advocates, state officials, and social norms.
THE ROOTS OF COMPULSORY HIJAB
During the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini issued a mandate for women to cover their bodies and hair in public places, which is considered the origin of this law.
This was made official in 1983 in the form of Article 638 under Iran's Islamic Penal Code as this criminalises women for "breaking any religious taboo in public."
Even though it was first rejected, the hijab eventually became a symbol of Islamic identity and consequently governmental authority.
Gasht-e-Ershad, or guiding patrols, was formed for morality police enforcement of these laws in 2006. Their mere presence on the streets acts as a daily reminder of the state's control over women's bodies. The morality police have been in charge of inspecting women's clothing and arresting any found to be breaking dress standards.
THE ROLE OF MORALITY POLICE
Morality police have become the face of the terrible implementation of hijab legislation in Iran. Following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, on September 16, 2022; while in the custody of Iran’s Gasht-e Ershad, the morality police intensified their activities against women.
She was arrested for wearing her hijab improperly in public and died while in custody. Her death provoked demonstrations in Iran, with some women daring to defy the headscarf as a form of defiance.
In reaction to these demonstrations, the Iranian authorities declared a temporary halt of the activities of the morality police in December 2022. However, the respite was not long enough. Despite the ongoing unrest, the government restored the morality police and passed new and stricter regulations to enforce women over their dress codes.
MAHASA AMINI'S DEATH AND ITS IMPACT
Mahsa Amini's death showcased an important moment in the fight for women's rights in Iran. The rallies went beyond simply rejecting the clothing code; they demanded more than just a political revolution. The protests sparked the "Woman Life Freedom Movement," which advocated for women's autonomy and human rights.
Campaigners such as Masih Alinejad brought Amini's case to international attention, reflecting on all of the problems that women face in Iranian society.
The protest has progressed to women sacrificing their headscarf, demonstrating against the Iranian government for an act of retaliation. Amini's narrative echoed back within Iran and beyond it. Various human rights organisations throughout the world condemned the Iranian government and called for accountability.
As noted by Nahid Naghshbandi from Human Rights Watch, "Rather than responding to the Woman Life Freedom movement with fundamental reforms, the autocratic government is trying to silence women with even more repressive dress laws."
THE HIJAB AND CHASTITIY BILL
In July 2023, Iranian lawmakers introduced legislation titled "Bill to Protect the Family by Promoting the Culture of Chastity and Hijab". On September 20, 2023, parliament enacted a measure intended at imposing tougher punishments for violating hijab restrictions. The law established 71 items on existing measures while imposing heavy penalties such as a fine of 360 million Iranian rials (about $8,500) and jail terms ranging from 5 to 10 years for disobedience.
However, following widespread opposition to the law and further protests following Amini's murder, the legislation was halted in December 2024. Shahram Dabiri, vice president in charge of legislative affairs, declared at the time that it was "not feasible to implement this bill" owing to popular disobedience of the then-existing hijab restrictions.
This delay indicates that Iranian authorities are aware that another wave of protest, similar to the one that followed Amini's killing, might break out at any time. Indeed, many experts feel that tougher hijab rules might spark widespread upheaval across the country.
The implementation of hijab laws has far-reaching consequences for women's rights in Iran. These laws limit women's participation in public life and foster a culture of fear and surveillance. Women who flout these laws risk losing their employment or possibly incarceration.
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Moreover, new legal reforms imperil enterprises that do not comply with government demands regarding employee dress rules. This fosters an environment in which compliance is expected at all levels of society. Despite these oppressive measures, many Iranian women continue to oppose forced veiling. Their actions highlight a broader struggle for personal autonomy and human rights within an authoritarian regime.
RESISTANCE MOVEMENT: "WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM"
The "Woman Life Freedom" initiative has emerged as one of Iran's most powerful forces against repressive regulations. Following Amini's death, women around the country began protesting hijab restrictions and other concerns related to gender equality and political freedom. Instead of speaking up in their respective nations, activists have exploited social media channels to disseminate their message globally.
MORAL AND SOCIAL RAMIFICATION
Iran's implementation of hijab legislation has important moral and social ramifications, particularly in light of the global struggle for women's rights and liberties in the twenty-first century.
This stands in stark contrast to the situation in Iran, where a patriarchal state that bases its laws and practices on religion and the law continues to systematically persecute women.
Despite making up about half of Iran's population, women live in a society where their rights and liberties are routinely taken away from them. The hijab law emphasises increased societal control over women's bodies and choices, going beyond simple clothing.
THE ONGOING STRUGGLE
Iran's hijab and chastity code have served as a symbol of the larger battle for women rights under an authoritarian administration. Though it stems from the past, new legislative steps show that the Iranian government is stepping up its attempts to compel compliance with the most severe sanctions. Mahsa Amini's gruesome murder had sparked a campaign to oppose not just forced veiling, but all forms of systemic oppression that women experience.
By continuing to protest against these regulations, the activists carry on Amini's legacy, which represents resistance to oppression and hope for future generations seeking freedom in Iran.
The battle for women's rights in Iran will not end here; it is evolving into a bigger movement that, in addition to personal autonomy, seeks fundamental improvements in a repressive regime. Even as they negotiate an increasingly hostile legal context in which disobedience results in harsh consequences, Iranian women display remarkable tenacity in their pursuit of justice and equality.
BY ISHITA SHARMA
TEAM GEOSTRATA
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