What’s Going on in Iran?
Over the past few weeks, violence has broken out in Iran as women fight for the right to choose what they want for their bodies. Much like the United States, the Iranian government has given themselves the power to govern what a woman can do with their body, although the blatant violence in Iran has been much more pronounced. These protests were caused by the death of an innocent woman, Mahsa Amini.
Ms. Amini was arrested when leaving the subway because she was not wearing the hijab modestly enough, with her hair loosely shown. Hours after her arrest, Ms. Amini was found dead. Although the government has denied unlawfully killing her, photos of her bruised and beaten have surfaced around the internet, countering those claims.
Since the President of Iran, Ebrahim Rahsi, was sworn into office in 2021, there has been an increase in the reinforcement of hijab laws. Many cafes and other businesses have been shut down by the government this summer, simply for having employees who were bare-headed, or not modestly dressed.
The women of Iran feel threatened by the government’s strong desire to restrict their decisions on their bodies; Mahsa Amini’s death has pushed that threat into anger for change.
Over the past few years, their democracy has been tarnished by Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameni. The government’s constant neglect towards the interest of people has demonstrated to the people that their system is no longer reformable. The women protesting have placed direct blame on the Supreme Leader, chanting “death to the dictator” and “death to Khamenei.”
Because of the diminishment of their democracy, women have felt that real change is only achievable with violent protest, gaining the attention of the government. Young women, at the forefront of these protests, have thrown their headscarves in flames, while fooling around in front of officers, bareheaded. These protests are sending a message to the Iranian government that women are strong, they are angered, and they are powerful.
In response to these fierce and rebellious protests, Iranian police are retaliating with bullets, tear gas, and beatings. As of October 12, officers have unlawfully killed a total of 201 women, children, and innocent civillians caught in crossfire and injured by tear gas during these protests.
The severity of this situation cannot go unnoticed; the Iranian government is slowly removing a woman's right to their bodily autonomy. Mahsa Amini’s case has evoked fear in women all across Iran, creating affinity within the most radical liberals, and the most radical conservatives.
Journalists from Iran who are reporting and speaking on the cause are also being arrested, causing a lack of personal and detailed information about these attacks. Additionally, internet access has been blocked in the country, including social media apps and messaging platforms. Although Iran has been cut off from the rest of the world, it is still important to speak on their behalf, and spread awareness on the matter.
For this reason, we at What Your Grandma Never Told You urge our readers to donate to:
