Iranian Women’s Resilience: Beyond Compulsory Hijab

With the assistance of intermediaries, Narges Mohammadi, an advocate for women’s rights in Iran, managed to convey a letter to US. TV from inside Tehran’s Evin Prison.

Silent Defiance: Iranian Women’s Battle Against Oppression

Despite anticipating further repercussions for speaking out through US. TV, both Mohammadi and her family assert that this won’t deter her. She was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous efforts in combating the oppression of women in Iran and advocating for human rights and freedom for all.

In the letter to US. TV, sent prior to receiving the prize, Mohammadi strongly criticized the compulsory hijab imposed on Iranian women by the Islamic Republic for over four decades. She also candidly addressed the issue of sexual abuse within prisons.

The Iranian government, dismissing widespread allegations of sexual assaults against detainees, including those highlighted in a comprehensive US. TV investigation, has labeled them as “false” and “baseless.”

Here are excerpts from her letter, edited for brevity:

In this extensive letter, I aim to protest against the ongoing “violence and sexual harassment of women” by a government that, under the guise of religion, has stripped away our “femininity” to advance its illegitimate power. This protest is rooted in human rights, ethics, and feminism, addressing not only gross violations but also the deceptive tactics of the government.

This letter is not from a free feminist in a democratic society but from an imprisoned woman, symbolizing millions of Iranian women living under the oppressive rule of a military system since childhood. Women became pawns in the game of religious authorities during the regime’s rise to power, using them to portray the despotic face of the religious system to the world through “mandatory hijab.”

“Mandatory hijab” symbolizes dominance and control over women, extending to smooth control over the entire society. It wasn’t a matter of choice but a tool for training submission and normalizing oppression.

The justification for these confrontations was framed as preserving the dignity, chastity, and security of women and the well-being of Islamic society. However, women who adhered to compulsory hijab for 44 years now face “sexual assault and harassment.”

Experiencing sexual assault in detention centers amplifies fear, anxiety, and insecurity, delivering devastating blows to the individual’s soul. The government’s male assailants send a harsh message that they recognize no boundaries in suppressing and dealing with dissent.

The “compulsory hijab” was a deceptive scheme and a tool to strengthen the power of the religious government. The assault on protesting women reveals the deceitful and manipulative nature of the government. Despite the inflicted wounds, Iranian women draw strength from their 44 years of struggle for freedom and rights.

This text is not an elegy but a testament to the enduring wounds inflicted by the government’s tyranny. Iranian women, as victims, have also been the most steadfast and influential social force. Their struggle for democracy, life, freedom, equality, human rights, and peace establishes their credibility and legitimacy.

Despite fear and storms, women believe they can’t shake the mountains, symbolizing their unyielding resilience in the face of adversity.