(An Iranian woman, during a protest in Istanbul on Monday, help pieces of her hair that she had cut off)
Since the death of Mahsa Amini, and the ongoing protests worldwide, pressure is being placed on the Islamic Republic to make governmental changes. Mahsa Amini was a young woman killed at the hands of “morality police” in Iran for reportedly disrespecting the clothing norms in Iran. As protests erupt, it is safe to say the regime is out-dated and must go.
The regime’s goal is to “islamize” the Iranian people and culture, however in doing so many basic and fundamental rights have been stripped from the people; more specifically, the women. Women being the primary victims of the regime's institutionalized misogyny, patriarchal tradition and overall authoritarian Islamic ideology, have spurred great civil unrest and scrutiny which has great potential to create lasting change. For the first time in history, Iran is witnessing generational change, and more importantly, shifts in fundamental norms and values. Iranian Leader, Ali Khamenei, gave a speech attacking academics and the ongoing student movement, as well as encouraging police brutality to shut these movements down. The direct attacks against this generation demonstrate the passé culture of the current Iranian government.
In past Iranian protests such as the Green Movement of 2009, clergy members were always present and leading, however, the current movement is not tied to the clery at all. By driving protests religiously, past demonstrations were working within the governmental structure, but the new uprising does not rely on religion, demonstrating how the protesters are objecting to the government specifically and calling for systematic changes.
Now, it is no news that the totalitarian regime is hostile, repressive, and aims to marginalize women by enforcing the hijab, yet, the ongoing protests are bigger than wearing the hijab itself. Women in Iran are fighting the compulsory hijab. Iranian women are fighting to take control of their bodies and reclaim ownership of their bodies. They want to have free choice to wear what they want without the state or any other authority telling them what to do. In essence, women are fighting the dated, oppressive standards that the Islamic republic encompasses. So, while it may appear that current uprisings are in protest of the killing of Mahsa Amini, in reality they are a symptom of the out-dated authoritarian regime that needs to be replaced in Iran. It’s time the government began protecting “Women, Life, Freedom”
Sources:
https://apple.news/AfR7F-aOYRZyrjgB9L5a_FA
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/09/mahsa-amini-irans-protests-rebellion-bodily-autonomy
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/how-irans-protests-differ-past-movements
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-42954970
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/22/world/middleeast/iran-protests.html?searchResultPosition=4
https://www.nytimes.com/video/players/offsite/index.html?videoId=100000008553391
An Iranian woman, during a protest in Istanbul on Monday, held pieces of her hair that she had cut off. 📸 Sedat Suna/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
3 comments:
It is interesting that I haven't seen more coverage of this issue in the media. There was a lot of support on social media sites such as TikTok but very little formal reporting of this topic that I have seen. As we have recently studied how media works, I find this strange as a topic that is very "eye-catching" and makes many Americans feel good about themselves, this topic isn't reported on more. Perhaps it is because it is in a way "old news" but I still find it weird we don't hear more about it. In my opinion, these women (and sometimes young girls) are risking their lives to stand up for their rights, and the least we could do is be their voice and honor their efforts.
Leia Young
I think it's important to give a spotlight to more human rights issues that would give the oppressed a means of expressing their voice. I agree that it's important to note our privilege compared to women and girls in restrictive regimes such as the one described in this post. It's notable how these women are still able to protest for the freedom and bodily autonomy they deserve through accomplishable means when their rights are taken away.
This movement could certainly spark a wider revolution within Iran. Around 30% of the population is 30 or younger, so they were not even born when the last revolution swept the current hardline religious regime into power. As the revolution is now decades old, it’s showing its age with more of the younger population wanting change. However, the regime in Iran has a very repressive security apparatus, so it will be quite difficult for the protestors to succeed without gaining a significant portion of the population to join them. A replacement of the regime would not only benefit the U.S. (to which it is currently hostile) but may also end the numerous human rights abuses committed by the government.
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