In recent years, Iran has witnessed one of the most significant and courageous movements in its modern history— the Women, Rights, and Freedom Movement.

Spurred by systemic oppression, strict gender laws, and human rights violations, Iranian women have increasingly defied the regime, demanding their basic rights, including the right to education, employment, freedom of expression, and the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies. The movement has brought the issue of women’s rights to the forefront of international discourse, challenging not only domestic laws but also global human rights frameworks and urging reform in a country that has long restricted fundamental freedoms.

This article explores how the women’s rights movement in Iran has confronted the legal system, questioned the government’s interpretation of religious and legal doctrines, and sparked a national and global debate on human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Legal and Social Context in Iran

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has imposed a legal system that intertwines Islamic law (Sharia) with national legislation, enforcing strict codes of conduct, especially for women. Under the guidance of the Islamic Republic, laws regarding women’s rights have remained heavily restrictive, enforcing gender-based segregation, limitations on personal freedoms, and severe penalties for defying state-imposed rules.

1. Mandatory Hijab and Dress Code Laws

One of the most iconic symbols of women’s oppression in Iran is the mandatory hijab law, which requires all women, regardless of their personal beliefs, to cover their hair and wear modest clothing in public. This law was enacted shortly after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, when the government began enforcing stricter interpretations of Islamic dress codes. The hijab law has led to widespread protests, particularly from women who feel their personal freedoms are being violated.

In 2017, Iranian women began protesting these laws in what became known as the “Girls of Revolution Street” movement, where women publicly removed their headscarves and waved them on sticks, symbolizing resistance to the compulsory dress code. These protests not only challenged the legality of the hijab law but also posed a direct challenge to the state’s authority and its religious justification for imposing such a law.

2. Gender Segregation and Employment Restrictions

Iranian law also enforces gender segregation in public spaces, from schools and universities to workplaces and government buildings. Women face restrictions in choosing their career paths, with certain jobs being reserved for men or having stringent barriers to entry for women. Moreover, Iranian law limits women’s access to positions of power within the government, with women generally excluded from high-ranking positions.

The legal framework also prevents women from passing their nationality to their children and limits their inheritance rights compared to men. These laws contribute to the disenfranchisement of Iranian women and act as barriers to gender equality.

Women Leading the Charge: The Role of Activists

The movement for women’s rights in Iran has been spearheaded by courageous activists who have placed their lives at risk to challenge these restrictive laws. Some of the most notable figures include Masih Alinejad, an exiled journalist and activist known for her My Stealthy Freedom campaign, which encouraged women to share photos of themselves without the hijab. Alinejad’s campaign went viral and received widespread international attention, amplifying the voices of those who oppose the mandatory hijab law.

Another prominent figure is Shirin Ebadi, a human rights lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who has long been an advocate for women’s rights in Iran. Ebadi, despite being forced into exile, continues to criticize Iran’s legal system and push for the recognition of women’s rights as a central tenet of human dignity and justice.

Within Iran, there has been a steady increase in young women pushing back against the legal and social norms that limit their freedom. These activists are organizing protests, using social media to spread awareness, and demanding legislative changes. Their efforts have spurred national and international debates, with many calling for the Iranian government to revisit its treatment of women, amend discriminatory laws, and ratify international human rights conventions.

Challenging Iran’s Human Rights Documentation

Iran’s legal system, rooted in Sharia law, is deeply connected to the country’s human rights documentation, such as the Iranian Constitution and domestic regulations. However, Iran has long been criticized by international human rights organizations for its failure to uphold the rights and freedoms guaranteed by global human rights frameworks, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which Iran ratified in 1948. Despite signing this international treaty, Iran continues to enact laws that violate basic human rights, particularly those of women.

The Iranian regime’s actions, from the mandatory hijab law to the criminalization of peaceful protest, reflect a blatant disregard for international human rights standards. This has led to increasing calls from human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, urging Iran to reform its legal system and uphold its international obligations.

For instance, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which Iran signed in 1979, mandates that countries eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in public and private life, including in legal and political matters. Yet, despite signing CEDAW, Iranian women continue to face gender-based discrimination in the workplace, education, and in matters of personal autonomy.

Iran’s non-compliance with global human rights frameworks has attracted international condemnation. Organizations like the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) have expressed concerns about the ongoing violation of women’s rights in Iran. However, despite these concerns, the Iranian government has often pushed back against international criticism, justifying its actions by referring to the country’s sovereignty and the importance of preserving Islamic values.

The Political Implications of the Movement

The Women, Rights, and Freedom Movement in Iran has evolved from a purely social movement to one that challenges the very foundation of Iran’s political and legal systems. This movement is not only calling for gender equality but also for a broader reevaluation of Iran’s interpretation of Islamic law in relation to human rights.

As Iranian women demand reforms in the legal framework, the international community has an important role to play in holding the Iranian government accountable. Several international legal instruments, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Iran ratified in 1975, recognize the right to freedom of expression, assembly, and gender equality. Yet, these rights are routinely violated by the Iranian government. As protests and activism intensify, the movement has garnered attention from governments and advocacy groups around the world, which are calling for diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions to force Iran to comply with global human rights standards.

For the Iranian government, the women’s rights movement represents a direct challenge to its political legitimacy. The ongoing protests and activism have forced the government to confront uncomfortable questions about its policies on women’s rights, individual freedoms, and its interpretation of Islam. Despite facing arrests, imprisonment, and even violence, Iranian women remain determined to push for a society where their rights are recognized, respected, and protected by law.

The Way Forward: Toward Legal Reforms

The future of the Women, Rights, and Freedom Movement in Iran lies in both domestic and international efforts to challenge the status quo and push for change. This includes continued advocacy for legal reforms within Iran, as well as external pressure from the global community to ensure that the Iranian government upholds its international human rights commitments.

Iranian activists and their supporters are calling for the repeal of discriminatory laws, such as the mandatory hijab law, and the enactment of policies that guarantee equal rights for women in all aspects of life, from education and employment to family law and personal freedoms. These changes would represent a step forward in ensuring that women in Iran are treated as equals under the law and have access to the same opportunities and protections as their male counterparts.

The global community must continue to press Iran to honor its human rights obligations, using diplomatic and economic means to hold the regime accountable. International human rights organizations, alongside governments and civil society, must remain committed to supporting Iranian women in their fight for justice and equality.

Conclusion

The Women, Rights, and Freedom Movement in Iran is one of the most powerful challenges to the country’s legal and human rights framework in decades. Iranian women, armed with courage and a fierce determination for justice, are defying oppressive laws and advocating for a future where their voices are heard, their rights are respected, and their freedoms are protected.

The movement has not only illuminated the deep injustices within the Iranian legal system but has also raised important questions about the role of international law and human rights frameworks in protecting women’s rights. As this movement continues to grow, it will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping Iran’s future, pushing for legal reforms, and calling for a society where women can finally enjoy the rights and freedoms they are entitled to.