Since the 2979 revolution in Iran, hijab has been a mandatory dress code for women all over Iran, Because of this Law, it is legally required for Irani women to wear the Hijab in all public spaces. Under Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, an act that is “offensive” to public decency is punishable by 10 to 60 days in prison or 74 lashes. Imagine a world where a woman receives 74 lashes just because she forgot to wear her Hijab when going to do her groceries? Sadly, we don't have to imagine. It already exists. And the most unbelievable part about it is that the law applies to girls as soon as they turn 9. NINE! In actual practice however, compulsory veil is imposed on girls from the age of seven, as they begin elementary school.
You might be wondering how Iran’s hijab laws are related to education and conflict? Well, this article will explain how these two things are absolutely inseparable from each other.
In an article published in 2023, UN experts expressed concern over such laws. It explained that the implementation of these laws could be seen as a specific form of gender apartheid, as authorities have systemic power over women and girls and their access to public space. What is a public space young girls occupy everyday in Iran? Yes, it’s the school. Unfortunately, the implementation of this law starts quite young, and this idea that women and girls have to go through petra steps, and to appear pure and chase when they are just trying to have a normal day permeates through their very being.
In 2023, Iran's Education Ministry published a statement saying it will not provide educational services to students in schools and universities who do not wear a headscarf.
Where there is repression, there is protest.
School girls in Iran have been protesting this ridiculous law for years. One example of this is the online movement “My Stealthy Freedom”. This online movement documents the many occasions where women are punished brutally for not covering their hair.
The movement also promotes a clever kind of resistance, and it is often spearheaded by the school girls of Iran. In 2022, Irani school girls removed their hijabs in protests against the government. In Karaj, girls reportedly forced an education official out of their school.
Footage posted on social media showed them shouting "shame on you" and throwing empty water bottles at the man until he left.
In Shiraz on Monday, schoolgirls blocked traffic on a main road while waving their headscarves in the air and shouting "death to the dictator". Many students were also pictured in classrooms with their heads uncovered and back to the camera. They were raising their middle fingers to the picture of Ayatollah Khamenei.
This really makes one think, is the aesthetic of chastity and purity which the government of Iran thinks the hijab represents really that important? So important that it shuns an entire half of the country to the margins, where they cannot exist in public spaces without thinking twice, and constantly being acutely aware of following the dress code or risk putting their safety in severe danger. How does this effect the daily lives of school going girls? What impact does it have on their personality? How do they see themselves because of this?
I truly appreciate how well-structured the content and ideas of this blog are - you do a wonderful job of laying down the connections between oppressive legal policy, gender, education, and conflict as discussed within the course. Repression on a state-level often disproportionately affects women, as showcased within this blog; Iranian women, despite ostensibly having 'access' to education, must give up their autonomy and comply with repressive policies in order to remain unscathed by the state. The 2023 statement made by the Iranian Ministry of Education truly cements this view, as it blatantly denies education to anyone who refuses to comply with state-level repression. The questions raised at the end of this blog are extremely significant, and perhaps only truly…
This blog powerfully illustrates the deep intersection between Iran’s mandatory hijab laws and the educational experiences of girls in the country. The harsh penalties for noncompliance not only restrict personal freedoms but also fundamentally alter the educational environment, making schools a site of both learning and repression. The notion that young girls, starting from such a tender age, must navigate these oppressive regulations impacts their sense of self and agency, potentially stifling their aspirations and confidence. The courageous acts of protest by schoolgirls, like those in Shiraz and Karaj, are a testament to their resilience and desire for autonomy. Their defiance highlights a critical question: How can the international community better support these young activists in their fight against gender-based…
This blog emphasizes the harsh realities that Iranian women and girls face under mandatory hijab laws. It highlights how these regulations go far beyond personal choice, deeply affecting their education and freedom. These laws force girls to view their worth based solely on their appearance, making them believe that their value is tied to compliance with enforced dress codes. This absurd policy not only stifles their self-expression but also discourages them from developing their voices and aspirations, ultimately preventing them from becoming future leaders.
Moreover, the emotional toll of being constantly monitored and judged for their attire can lead to rightful resentment. It’s not just about the hijab; it’s also about the message it sends, that their individuality and opinions…
This essay effectively demonstrates the connection of gender, education, and state control in Iran. The fact that children as young as seven are subject to hijab restrictions, along with the harsh consequences for noncompliance, paints a bleak picture of the realities that many people endure on a daily basis. The stories of schoolgirls demonstrating and defying harsh policies are both inspiring and tragic. Their fortitude in challenging a system that strives to control their identities demonstrates their resilience.
It's troubling to think about how these regulations not only limit their personal freedoms, but also affect their self-perception and future goals. The protests reflect a strong desire for autonomy and acknowledgement in a society that has traditionally marginalised women.I am curious…
It is hard to see a law imposed that only affects the women in a negative manner. The amount of laws that this world has put on women is absolutely absurd. Whereas, men on the other hand have 0 laws on their bodies. It is a shocker to none of us.
I would like to point out that this law not only affects the Irani citizens but also anyone who visits. I have personally had an interesting experience at the Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran when I was there for a layover. As we were not actually stepping out of the airport we did not do any research as to what might and might not be appropriate. We reached and…