Written By: Julia Bailey, Editor in Training
WOMEN’S RIGHTS – The struggle continues for the women of Iran
To be a woman living in Iran — even today — can be deadly. Iran’s government, led under tyrannic rule, imposes unjust law upon its women, valuing them as half of that of a man (IranWire). Wearing a hijab, a choice intended to be deeply personal for a Muslim woman, has been enforced, regardless of religious beliefs, since 1983. This law has always been met with resistance, no matter how big or small, however, recently the protests took an international stage.
Mahsa Amini is one of hundreds of similar tragic stories, many of which mysteriously died of a “heart attack” immediately after being taken into custody by the morality police. “On September 13, while visiting family in Tehran, Amini was reportedly arrested for “improper hijab” (TheCut). Three days later, on September 16, her family was informed that she was dead. Although this young woman’s life was stolen from her so young, her death helped to ignite the women of Iran’s rage, causing nationwide protest that was long overdue.
Women all over Iran rose up, fists raised, voices ready, and hijabs torn. In Amini’s own hometown, women chanted “Death to the dictator”, rising up against their oppressors in support of one of their own. “A large volume of people were seen cheering as women set their hijabs alight in defiant acts of protest in Tehran’s Sari” (TBSNews). One woman even stood atop a car, setting her headscarf ablaze, while another woman “disposed of her headscarf, took scissors to her hair, and chopped nearly all of it off as the crowd around her cheered” (TheCut). These incredibly strong and brave women sparked a worldwide movement, causing people with power to use their spotlight to bring awareness to the government of Iran’s crimes, giving women a chance to be true to themselves and fight for what they deserve.
A Swedish member of parliament cut her hair, in solidarity with the women in Iran, during a speech in the EU assembly, showing her support for women’s rights – stating “Until Iran is free, our fury will be bigger than the oppressors. Until the women of Iran are free we are going to stand with you,” (Reuters). Also, Juliette Binoche among other actresses cut their locks, announcing “For Freedom” as their beautiful hair dropped to the floor, furthering this incredible movement of defending women’s rights.
Despite the horrors and evil committed unjustly by the Iranian government, hope blossomed from Mahsa Amini’s grave. Thanks to the brave and selfless people who discovered and leaked the corrupt killing of Amini, her death was made to mean something and inspired thousands to finally speak out and take action against Iran’s government’s oppression and abuse.