Women in Iran are defying authorities by publicly removing their hijab

It has been widely known that the Islamic Republic of Iran has treated women as second-class citizens over the past 44 years by instituting laws that, among other things, restrict women’s freedom, and their economic and social engagements, while disregarding equal rights in various matters, such as family laws pertaining to divorce and child custody. The Iranian regime has long used the mandatory use of hijab as a symbol of its power and control over women. In recent years, however, there has been growing resentment shown by Iranian women who are taking off their hijabs in public as a form of protest against such discriminations. Although the regime’s enforcement of the hijab laws had become lax at times in the past, with the onset of the current revolutionary uprising, the regime has been increasingly cracking down on the protesters. Such actions have included shooting at demonstrators, arresting them, imprisoning many of those after kangaroo trials often without adequate legal representation (where the prosecutor and the judge is often the same person), and torture and rape in prison. Although these atrocities have gained international attention, there has been a general lack of a coordinated effort to stop this carnage by targeting sanctions against the responsible parties including those in power and their forces, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The hijab is a compulsory garment in Iran, and women who are seen in public without it have been arrested and fined, or have been imprisoned, received lashes, or have been tortured, assaulted, raped or even killed (c.f. Mahsa Amini) while in custody. The Islamic regime’s enforcement of the hijab laws had recently become lax due in part to the growing number of women who were refusing to wear it, and in part to the regime’s own internal divisions until the fundamentalist administration of President Raisi came to power in 2021.

Since 2021, public dress codes became more strictly enforced, resulting in some women increasingly taking off their hijabs for a variety of reasons. Some are protesting against the regime’s gender discrimination, while others are asserting their right for freedom in choosing what to wear and how to socialize in public. All of these appear to be but part of a greater dissatisfaction with the Iranian regime because of its rampant corruption, incompetence and trampling on freedom of expression and other political, economic and social-democratic rights of people. Whatever their reasons, Iranian women are sending a powerful message to this regime that they will not be silenced during this first women-led revolution. The bravery that Iranian women have demonstrated and their remarkable courage to put their lives or wellbeing on the line for freedom has truly been remarkable. The heroism evident in their willingness to risk their lives to fight for freedom is akin to Ukrainians fighting against Russian invasion of their country in that both are risking their lives to fight for freedom.

The regime’s recent crackdown on the hijab protests appears to have only served to further galvanize the current uprising that includes demonstrations for the dire economic conditions and spiraling inflation all Iranians are facing within the country. Women who have been arrested and punished for removing their hijabs have become symbols of resistance, and their stories have inspired others to join this revolutionary uprising.

The hijab protests seem to be a sign that a new phase of revolution has begun in Iran. The regime is increasingly losing its legitimacy, given daily demonstrations and protests against the clerical rule since September 2022. Iranians are increasingly demanding a regime change. The hijab protests are a powerful symbol of this new era, and they are a sign that the Iranian people will not give up until they achieve freedom and democracy in a secular Iran.

The Hijab protests show that the regime’s control over women is not as strong as it once was. Such demonstrations are a sign of growing dissent against the regime, and they are embarrassing the regime on the international stage. Daily protests are a sign that the Iranian people are no longer afraid to speak out against the regime. This may indicate that the regime is losing its grip on power, and that a new era of revolution is beginning.

There is an urgent need for focused and coordinated international initiatives to support the Iranian quest for freedom and justice as a part of a worldwide effort to cultivate secular democracies.

Kudos to the brave and patriotic women of Iran for this revolutionary uprising — known as Woman, Life, Freedom — for a secular and democratic Iran.