After the Ahoo Daryaei Case: Iranian Women Continue to Oppose the Regime

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the growing repression of women in Iran is being highlighted, with the opening of "hijab clinics" and the brave act of Ahoo Daryaei, a student who has become a symbol of the fight against the compulsory veil.

ALARMING DATA ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Global statistics on gender-based violence paint a dramatic scenario. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in three women worldwide is a victim of violence during her lifetime, often at the hands of an intimate partner or family member.

Globally, it is estimated that:

• Around 137 women are killed every day by a member of their own family.

• 736 million women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence.

• 70% of women involved in conflicts, wars, and humanitarian crises have suffered gender-based violence.

• Since 2016, female genital mutilation has increased by 15%.

• In 2023, at least 51,100 women were victims of gender-based violence, meaning that every 10 minutes, a woman is killed.

Gender-based violence is not only physical. Women can also be victims of social marginalization, economic discrimination, or be denied access to education and healthcare. This structural violence prevents any possibility of personal growth and perpetuates a cycle of inequality and oppression.

IRAN: WHEN REBELLION BECOMES A MENTAL ILLNESS

Violence against women knows no geographical or cultural boundaries, but in many regions, factors such as armed conflicts, economic inequalities, and patriarchal norms make it even more endemic. In contexts where extremist interpretations of religion prevail, such as in Iran, violence is often justified or amplified by laws that limit women's rights and impose social control based on conservative religious beliefs.

In Iran, one of the latest repressive measures against women is the opening of "psychological clinics" for those who refuse to wear the hijab. This initiative not only suppresses dissent but marks a disturbing process of medicalizing political protest, turning resistance to an ideological imposition into a "mental illness" to be treated. Although the psychiatric treatment of women who do not wear the veil is not new, this repressive practice has now become an integral part of the law and falls within the framework of Sharia law.

Women who refuse the compulsory veil are not only forced to undergo weekly psychiatric visits but also face economic sanctions, such as frozen bank accounts, and restrictions on their freedom of movement, including travel bans. The "hijab clinics" represent yet another piece in the growing repression against Iranian women, which began after the 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests following the death of Mahsa Amini. These demonstrations prompted Tehran to intensify repression with measures such as increased surveillance, a stronger presence of the morality police, and the exclusion of unveiled women from public spaces like shopping malls and parks. The United Nations has described this policy as a true "gender apartheid."

Two years after the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protest, the situation in Iran is far from improved. Iranian authorities are waging a true "war against women": women driving without a veil are chased, arrested, and their vehicles confiscated. Testimonies collected describe scenes of brutal and unprovoked violence by law enforcement.

LATEST NEWS FROM THE WOMEN'S STRUGGLE IN IRAN

1. AHOO DARYAEI STRIPS AT TEHRAN UNIVERSITY

In this atmosphere of repression, the gesture of Ahoo Daryaei, a young university student, profoundly shook public opinion. Deciding to take off her clothes outdoors as an act of protest, she challenged the regime's control over the female body. Her action, captured in images that went viral worldwide, became a powerful symbol of the fight for freedom and self-determination.

Ahoo Daryaei, arrested last November after walking in underwear at the Islamic Azad University of Tehran and subsequently interned in a "hijab clinic," was later returned to her family's care as she was considered "mentally ill." According to activist groups that circulated the video, the young woman undressed in protest after being harassed by some university officials.

Her hospitalization was denounced as a form of "torture" by Iranian activist Shirin Ebadi, who accused the Tehran government of using repressive methods. The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who has been in exile in London since 2009, stated that forcing dissidents into hospitals "is an old method of the repression system."

Also Iranian journalist Sima Sabet, residing in the United Kingdom, called the initiative "shameful," adding: "The idea of establishing clinics to 'cure' women who do not wear the hijab is chilling. It is unacceptable to separate people from society simply for not conforming to the dominant ideology."

2. PARASTOO AHMADI: THE VEILLESS SINGER

Just one month after Ahoo Daryaei's act, Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi made a gesture that again drew international attention. During a concert on YouTube, Parastoo chose to perform without a veil, openly defying Iran's strict laws prohibiting women from singing in public without covering their heads.

Although the concert was broadcast clandestinely, her act immediately garnered support but also harsh criticism from Iranian authorities. After the performance, Parastoo was arrested but fortunately released shortly after. Her gesture not only raised questions about women's rights in Iran but also highlighted the difficulties faced by artists in a country where freedom of expression is severely limited.

3. GIRL TEARS OFF MULLAH'S TURBAN

Another symbolic episode occurred at Tehran International Airport in early January, where a young woman was filmed ripping off the turban from a mullah who had reprimanded her for not wearing the hijab. Not only did she symbolically humiliate the cleric, but she also used the turban as a scarf, as if to demonstrate her rejection of the regime's control and oppression.

The video of this gesture quickly spread across social media, sparking both outrage and support. Many activists interpreted the act as a symbol of resistance against religious authority, which plays a significant role in daily life in Iran. Masih Alinejad, one of the most prominent exiled activists, commented on the incident as a clear manifestation of rebellion against religious repression, highlighting how women are increasingly questioning the norms imposed by the regime.

4. NAKED WOMAN ON POLICE CAR

On February 3, a video came out showing a young woman protesting in the heart of Tehran by sitting completely naked on a police car. The images – fortunately – sparked a wave of support on social media. Her protest immediately captured attention, not only for its courage but also for the symbolism it represented: the fight for women's self-determination over their bodies. Once again, Masih Alinejad shared the video, emphasizing how the young woman's gesture represents the growing anger against the restrictions imposed by the Iranian government.

CONCLUSION

Violence against women, whether perpetrated by individuals, institutions, or cultural norms, represents one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Women in Iran are facing brutal repression, but their resistance is becoming increasingly visible and powerful. Acts of bravery, like those of Ahoo Daryaei and Parastoo Ahmadi, are symbols of a larger struggle that requires global solidarity. Women's Day must not be limited to reflecting on inequalities but must be a moment of concrete action for a global commitment to ending all forms of discrimination, violence, and repression against women. Their fight for freedom is also ours.

Translated by Gaia Ciceri

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