Iran's Women: A Relentless Fight For Fundamental Rights

Dr. Alba Bayer DVM 22 Jun 2025

**The struggle for women's rights in Iran is a profound and ongoing battle, deeply rooted in the nation's political and social landscape. For decades, Iranian women have navigated a complex web of legal restrictions, cultural norms, and state-imposed mandates that have severely curtailed their freedoms and opportunities. This fight is not merely for abstract legal principles but for the very essence of human dignity, autonomy, and equality in daily life.** From the moment the Islamic Republic was established, built upon "bricks of patriarchal misogyny," a systematic dismantling of previously held rights began, impacting everything from personal liberties to professional aspirations. Understanding this journey requires a look at the historical shifts, the current legal framework, the courageous acts of resistance, and the global solidarity that fuels the hope for a more equitable future for women in Iran.
**Table of Contents** 1. [Historical Context and Shifting Mandates](#historical-context-and-shifting-mandates) 2. [The Legal Framework: Systemic Discrimination](#the-legal-framework-systemic-discrimination) * [Marriage, Divorce, and Inheritance Laws](#marriage-divorce-and-inheritance-laws) * [Child Marriage and Forced Pregnancies](#child-marriage-and-forced-pregnancies) 3. [The Compulsory Hijab and Dress Code as a Symbol of Resistance](#the-compulsory-hijab-and-dress-code-as-a-symbol-of-resistance) 4. [Beyond the Veil: Broader Restrictions on Women's Lives](#beyond-the-veil-broader-restrictions-on-womens-lives) 5. [Femicide and Domestic Violence: A Grim Reality](#femicide-and-domestic-violence-a-grim-reality) 6. [The Unyielding Spirit: Women's Activism and Resilience](#the-unyielding-spirit-womens-activism-and-resilience) * [Notable Activists and Collective Action](#notable-activists-and-collective-action) * [The Role of the Iranian Diaspora and NGOs](#the-role-of-the-iranian-diaspora-and-ngos) 7. [International Scrutiny and Global Solidarity](#international-scrutiny-and-global-solidarity) 8. [Looking Ahead: Hope for a More Equitable Future](#looking-ahead-hope-for-a-more-equitable-future)
## Historical Context and Shifting Mandates The trajectory of **women's rights in Iran** has been anything but linear. Historically, with the rise of each government, a series of mandates for women's rights have affected a broad range of issues, from voting rights to dress code. Before the 1979 revolution, Iranian women had made significant strides in education, employment, and political participation. However, the establishment of the Islamic Republic marked a drastic reversal. One of the first acts of the new regime was to implement policies designed to entrench the power of the government, often at the expense of women's autonomy. The new constitution included a number of disturbing provisions, fundamentally altering the legal status of women. In essence, the women of Iran became, in many respects, the "slaves of men" under the new legal framework, a stark departure from previous advancements. This shift laid the groundwork for over four decades of systematic restrictions on women's rights in virtually every sphere of life. ## The Legal Framework: Systemic Discrimination In Iran, women face systemic discrimination enshrined in the country’s legal framework. This discrimination permeates various aspects of life, creating a second-class status that is legally sanctioned. The Iranian regime has implemented and enforced a series of oppressive policies that violate women’s rights, ranging from compulsory hijab laws to forced pregnancies, restrictions on abortion, child marriages, domestic violence, and femicide. The very foundation of this legal system posits that "women and children are the property of men with limited rights," a concept that underpins many of the discriminatory laws. A particularly egregious example of this inequality is the legal provision stating that "the testimony of one man is equal to the testimony of two women," severely undermining women's ability to seek justice in legal proceedings. ### Marriage, Divorce, and Inheritance Laws For over four decades, the Islamic Republic has severely restricted women’s rights in marriage, divorce, and inheritance. In marriage, women often require the permission of a male guardian, and polygamy for men is legal, while polyandry for women is forbidden. Divorce laws are heavily skewed in favor of men, making it exceedingly difficult for women to initiate divorce proceedings without significant concessions or proof of extreme hardship. In matters of inheritance, a daughter inherits half the share of a son, reinforcing the notion of women as lesser beneficiaries within the family structure. These laws not only create economic dependency but also perpetuate a cycle of power imbalance within the household. ### Child Marriage and Forced Pregnancies The legal framework also permits child marriages, with girls as young as 13 legally allowed to marry, and even younger with judicial and paternal consent. This practice robs young girls of their childhood, education, and agency, exposing them to early pregnancies and the challenges of marital life before they are physically or emotionally mature. Furthermore, restrictions on abortion are severe, and there have been reports of policies that can lead to forced pregnancies, further stripping women of control over their own bodies and reproductive health. These provisions highlight the regime's profound control over women's most intimate decisions and physical autonomy. ## The Compulsory Hijab and Dress Code as a Symbol of Resistance Perhaps one of the most visible and contentious aspects of **women's rights in Iran** is the compulsory hijab and the broader dress code mandates. For decades, this issue has been a cornerstone of the regime's control over women's public appearance and, by extension, their identity. However, despite its overarching impact on women’s rights and freedoms, the choice of dress code as a right was not taken up by Iran’s women’s movement as a collective issue until recently. The "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, brought the compulsory hijab to the forefront of global attention, transforming it into a powerful symbol of resistance against the oppressive regime. The protests of November 2, 2024, drew extensive attention from Western media, with acts of defiance becoming widely publicized. Frustrated with Iran’s restrictive dress code laws, a woman chose to strip down to her underwear in front of her university entrance, an act of raw, visceral protest against the forced modesty. While media outlets focused on her act of resistance, two other significant achievements by Iranian women during this period often went unnoticed: the sustained, collective defiance against the hijab and the burgeoning solidarity among diverse groups of women, transcending social and economic divides. The compulsory hijab is not merely a piece of cloth; it is a battleground for autonomy, freedom, and the right to self-expression. ## Beyond the Veil: Broader Restrictions on Women's Lives The restrictions on **women's rights in Iran** extend far beyond the dress code. Women’s rights are severely restricted in Iran, to the point where women are even forbidden from watching men’s sports in stadiums. This seemingly minor restriction is indicative of a broader pattern of controlling women's public spaces and leisure activities, limiting their participation in society. A glimpse into the harsh realities of Iranian women’s lives reveals a pervasive system of control. The second chapter of the annual report 2025, “The State of the People,” turns its focus to the lived experiences of Iranian women—university students fighting against educational repression, nurses laboring under dire conditions, teachers struggling against unpaid wages, and female heads of households battling systemic economic disadvantages. These accounts paint a vivid picture of women facing multifaceted challenges, from barriers to higher education and professional advancement to economic hardship and lack of social support. The regime's policies often make it difficult for women to pursue careers, travel independently, or even obtain passports without male guardian permission, further limiting their personal and professional growth. ## Femicide and Domestic Violence: A Grim Reality The systemic discrimination against women in Iran has tragic and often fatal consequences. The Islamic Republic of Iran, built upon bricks of patriarchal misogyny, has fostered an environment where violence against women is alarmingly prevalent and often goes unpunished. Between March 2021 and the end of June 2023, at least 165 women in Iran were killed by male family members, an average of one such killing every four days. These statistics underscore the grave issue of femicide, where women are murdered specifically because of their gender, often by those closest to them. Domestic violence remains a widespread problem, exacerbated by legal frameworks that offer inadequate protection for victims and often place the burden of proof heavily on the woman. The lack of robust legal recourse, coupled with societal pressures and the devaluation of women's testimony, creates a climate where perpetrators often act with impunity. This grim reality highlights the urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms, greater public awareness, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to protect women from violence and hold offenders accountable. ## The Unyielding Spirit: Women's Activism and Resilience Despite the immense challenges and severe repression, the struggle for **women's rights in Iran** is ongoing, marked by extraordinary resilience and determination. Iranian women have consistently demonstrated remarkable courage in the face of adversity, continuing to inspire change both within and outside the country. Although setbacks and obstacles remain, their unwavering spirit is a beacon of hope for a more equitable society. ### Notable Activists and Collective Action The world has witnessed the bravery of numerous Iranian women's rights advocates who have risked their freedom, and even their lives, to speak out against oppression. The jailed Iranian women’s rights advocate Narges Mohammadi, pictured in 2021 while not in prison, won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her ‘fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her courageous struggle for human rights and freedom for all.’ Her unwavering commitment, even from behind bars, exemplifies the profound determination of Iranian women. Beyond individual acts of heroism, collective action, often organized through clandestine networks, continues to challenge the regime's authority, demanding fundamental rights and freedoms. University students, nurses, teachers, and female heads of households, as highlighted in the "State of the People" report, are all active participants in this broader movement, each fighting their own battles against repression and injustice. ### The Role of the Iranian Diaspora and NGOs The fight for **women's rights in Iran** is not confined to its borders. The Iranian diaspora plays a crucial role in advocating for change, raising awareness, and providing support. The women’s committee, for instance, is actively involved with many women’s rights organizations and NGOs and the Iranian diaspora. This committee is a major source of much of the information received from inside Iran with regards to women, acting as a vital link between those on the ground and the international community. Organizations like Impact Iran, in joint submission with Siamak Pourzand Foundation and All Human Rights for All in Iran, work extensively with Iranian women outside the country and maintain permanent contact with women inside Iran, amplifying their voices and documenting human rights abuses. These networks are essential for maintaining momentum, providing resources, and ensuring that the plight of Iranian women remains on the global agenda. ## International Scrutiny and Global Solidarity The severe human rights violations in Iran, particularly against women and girls, have drawn significant international scrutiny. The United Nations (AP) reported that Iran carried out executions at “an alarming rate” last year with at least 975 people killed, a report that also cited other human rights abuses, from barriers to freedom of expression to the use of torture and arbitrary detention. These broader human rights concerns often disproportionately affect women, who face additional layers of discrimination. The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a report from Geneva on March 8, 2024, stated that "the violent repression of peaceful protests and pervasive institutional discrimination against women and girls has led to serious human rights violations by the Government of Iran, many amounting to crimes against humanity." This stark assessment underscores the severity of the situation and the urgent need for international intervention and accountability. The Universal Periodic Review of Iran's 48th session in January 2025 is another crucial platform where the international community will assess Iran's human rights record, with specific focus on women and girls' rights. For more information on women and girls' rights, interested parties can read Impact Iran's joint submission with Siamak Pourzand Foundation and All Human Rights for All in Iran. Recent developments, such as the temporary pausing of a new draconian law on December 14, 2024, which sought to impose the death penalty, flogging, prison terms, and other severe penalties to crush ongoing resistance to compulsory laws, demonstrate the impact of international pressure and sustained domestic resistance. This temporary pause, reported by state media, offers a glimmer of hope that sustained advocacy can yield results, even in the face of extreme repression. ## Looking Ahead: Hope for a More Equitable Future The struggle for **women's rights in Iran** is an enduring testament to the indomitable human spirit. Despite the profound challenges, the resilience and determination of Iranian women continue to inspire change, both within their borders and across the globe. As the global conversation around women’s rights gains momentum, hope arises for a more equitable society for women in Iran. The journey towards full gender equality in Iran is long and arduous, but the unwavering commitment of its women, supported by a growing network of activists, diaspora communities, and international bodies, suggests that change is not only possible but inevitable. Their voices, though often suppressed, resonate with a powerful demand for freedom, dignity, and justice. We invite you to learn more about the ongoing efforts to support women's rights in Iran and consider how you can contribute to this vital cause. Share this article to raise awareness, engage in informed discussions, and support organizations dedicated to empowering Iranian women. Their fight is a fight for all humanity.