The Legacy of Mahsa Amini: “Women, Life, Freedom”
Recently, protests in Iran have gained momentum and disseminated their messages worldwide. Women are leading uprisings following the death of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran’s “Morality Police,” a law-enforcement sector designed to enforce “moral” religious observance policies. Within this controversial category of modesty lies one of Islam’s most significant garments: the hijab.
For many, the hijab holds sacred significance and allows women to connect to their religion and culture. The hijab is a vital part of Islam with which many women identify.
Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the fundamental rights of women in Iran have suffered. This theocratic regime dismantled decades of progress in education, familial and marriage rights, and political representation, among other issues. The government imposed various laws regarding mandatory dress codes and stringent veiling policies between 1979 and 1989, with punishments ranging from monetary fines to physical abuse. Today, the implications of these actions remain more relevant than ever. Throughout recent decades, women have had little political leverage. As of 2016, 6% of Iran’s parliament consists of women, while, for comparison, the global average is 23%. Just as they did under the oppression of Islamic revolutionaries, many people have begun to fight back. They question these societal norms, with Generation Z protestors at the forefront of the action.
On September 16th, Mahsa Amini passed away three days after being unjustifiably arrested by Iran’s “Morality Police” in Tehran. After donning “unsuitable attire,” as several strands of hair were visible outside her hijab, police forced her into their custody. The events immediately following her arrest remain unclear, but evidence indicates that she died due to police brutality. United Nations Human Rights representatives called upon the Iranian government to ” hold an independent, impartial, and prompt investigation into Ms. Amini’s death, make the findings of the investigation public and hold all perpetrators accountable.”
This event served as a turning point for the future of women’s rights, galvanizing a more intense pushback against the Iranian government. The protests focus not only on specific actions regarding women’s fundamental rights but broaden into a criticism of Iran’s authoritarian regime in its entirety. Beginning in the Kurdistan province, the demonstrations quickly spread throughout Iran and into neighboring countries. Responses from the government were forceful and violent. To dissuade protestors from gathering, Iranian officials shut down the country’s internet for a week. Even journalists present at the events have been arrested.
The focus of these demonstrations is so substantial that, despite being met with violence, Iranian citizens continue to lead a revolution. Women cut their hair and burn their hijabs as forms of protest, while many others stand with them. Crowds gather in many middle-eastern cities, repeat the powerful phrase, “Women. Life. Freedom.” Responses from the West have been limited, but individuals continue to spread awareness about this movement. According to Iranian refugees in the United States, many are inspired and seeking hope for a better future in their home country. Today, allies across the world stand in solidarity with citizens affected by oppression.
– Isabella Haslinger Johnson ’25
The Reserve Record 