Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Change: The Unstoppable Spirit of Iranian Women

Mahnaz Afkhami, former minister of women's affairs in Iran's government pre-1979 Islamic Revolution, is the founder and president of Womens Learning Partnership and executive director of the Foundation for Iranian Studies. She recently authored "The Other Side of Silence: A Memoir of Exile, Iran, and the Global Women's Movement," published by the University of North Carolina Press. The opinions expressed in this commentary are her own. More perspectives can be found on CNN.

On September 16, 2022, Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish Iranian woman, tragically lost her life while under the custody of Iran's morality police. Her "offense" was deemed to be inadequate veiling. This incident sparked a massive uprising that quickly garnered international attention and support, rallying grassroots activists as well as world leaders.

Mahnaz Afkhami

Content provided by Women's Learning Partnership has depicted the Iranian regime's response to the uprising as incredibly brutal. However, the determined and fearless women who took to the streets and declared the powerful slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" have managed to leave a lasting impact. This three-word phrase resonated with individuals of various genders worldwide, leading to its manifestation in different languages on structures, billboards, and flags globally.

People question whether this event will undergo the same fate as others, silenced by the extreme retaliation of the Islamic Republic. However, I am confident that this will not be the case. Recently, I had a conversation with a female activist in Tehran who emphasized, "The women have emerged victorious. The city has transformed. Women freely wander without veils and engage in discussions with their male friends and family in cafes."

Although the government remains determined to suppress women who do not adhere to the dress code, there is a noticeable change in social norms within Iran.

On the occasion of Amini's demise, it is imperative to examine the progression of women's role in the Islamic Republic and track their ongoing valiant endeavor for autonomy and rights.

The 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, 22, in the custody of Iran's morality police set off protests, including this one in Tehran in October.

Middle East Images/AFP/Getty/FILE

Iranian women were lured into the Islamic Revolution of 1979 by the deceitful promises of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He falsely claimed that in an Islamic society, women would have the freedom to determine their own fate and engage in various activities. Furthermore, he assured that he would not be involved in government affairs and would reside in Qom, a city known for its religious leaders. However, upon his return to Iran in February, it became evident that these were mere falsehoods. Without waiting for a government to be formed or a constitution to be established, he imposed compulsory veiling on women. On March 8, 1979, also known as International Women's Day, a multitude of women stood up against this decree and faced violent attacks from pro-revolution groups.

Since then, Iranian women have relentlessly fought to advocate for their rights, but unfortunately, they have been unsuccessful in changing the oppressive laws imposed by the Islamic government. Regrettably, Iran has undergone a profound transformation from being a pioneering nation in championing women's rights in the Middle East in 1978 to now being ranked among the most inequitable countries in the world in terms of gender equality.

In Mexico City, a woman passionately opposes the execution of Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani, who was given a death sentence for his involvement in protests after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. The woman holds a sign expressing her disapproval in front of the Iranian embassy on December 19, 2022. Nasr-Azadani was apprehended in Isfahan just two days after allegedly participating in an "armed riot" that resulted in the deaths of three security agents. The photo capturing this powerful moment was taken by Pedro PARDO and is featured by AFP/Getty Images.

Iran's most formidable weapon is ineffective, but women's activists have gained valuable insights from years of consciousness-raising and mobilization, tapping into every uprising and movement since the 1979 revolution.

In 2006, the successful One Million Signatures Campaign for the Reform of Discriminatory Family Laws emerged. Women actively participated in this movement by engaging with individuals in their communities and going door to door to explain their desired changes and collect signatures. Collaborating with conservative religious women in shared areas of interest, such as equal rights, education, and employment, they were able to garner support. Surprisingly, approximately 30% of the gathered signatures came from men.

During Mohammad Khatami's presidency from 1997 to 2005, some women activists held hope for a possible reform of the system due to his promises of a more accepting society and his acknowledgment that women should not be treated as inferior. However, these aspirations were not met with significant legal changes, and their credibility further declined during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's tenure as president.

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During a demonstration in Istanbul on September 20, a protester can be seen holding a portrait of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman who tragically passed away after being arrested in Tehran by the Islamic Republic's morality police.

Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images

Opinion: The relentless bravery of Iranian protesters is a moral test for the Western world

In response to what was widely perceived as a fraudulent election in 2009, the Green Movement emerged two years prior to the Arab Spring. Protesters within the movement utilized the alleged election fraud as a catalyst to demand greater democratic rights, originally sought during the 1979 revolution. Men and women alike, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, took to the streets, chanting "Where is my vote?"

Since then, the widespread advancement of technology and the involvement of a connected, highly educated diaspora, including women leaders in various fields such as science, technology, arts, and politics, have played pivotal roles in encouraging and supporting those who continue to advocate for change from within their country.

Iranian women have long been denied the rights they deserve and have fought hard to obtain. Despite facing a medieval government, they have achieved significant victories through the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. This movement has effectively spread their voices and activism across the globe. It is perhaps the first female-led counterrevolution in history, with both men and women participating together. Moreover, it serves as a powerful example of women collaborating with one another and with men to foster dialogue, offer support, and appreciate diverse viewpoints. Sign up for our complimentary weekly newsletter now.

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Women in Iran have excelled in various fields where government involvement is not necessary. They have established successful businesses, pursued careers in teaching, fostered connections within and outside the country, and fearlessly challenged the government, resulting in instances where the government had to retreat.

They aspire for a government that truly appreciates their bravery and knowledge. However, they are pragmatic enough to understand that as long as governments worldwide continue to engage with the Islamic Republic and not actively oppose it, unarmed civilians alone will not have the power to overthrow the government. They have achieved victories in the battles they chose and are capable of winning, but attaining the government they desire will require alternative approaches.

Mobilizing both men and women, acquiring knowledge of democratic governance fundamentals, and equipping civil society for democracy, they will be fully prepared once they obtain substantial and steadfast assistance.