Woman, Life, FreedomGender Apartheid in Iran & Afghanistan

by Partow Rouhanie

International Women’s Day

March 8, 2024

 

BE THEIR VOICE

As chants of ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ reverberate across the globe echoing calls for humanity, equality, and liberation, the world finds itself at a critical juncture. While the pursuit of women's rights gains momentum in Iran after 45-years of Islamic gender-apartheid, a shadow looms in the form of creeping totalitarianism that threatens to undermine the very principles of freedom and equality across the rest of the world.

 

Woman, Life, Freedom slogan, born of the struggles and resiliency of Iranian women in their pursuit for autonomy, has transcended borders and found resonance in the broader fight for women's equality, globally.  Revived in the wake of September, 2022 protests in Iran, following the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini at the hands of the Islamic Regime’s ‘Morality Police’, the slogan has become a rallying cry, symbolising the urgent need to prioritise and safeguard the rights of women at the core of life, liberty, and society.

 

 

On September 13, 2022, Mahsa Jina Amini and her younger brother traveled to the capital city of Tehran, from Saqqez, a Kurdistan Province, in northwestern Iran.  Almost immediately upon exiting the Metro, Islamic morality Police (Basij) began harassing Jina over visible strands of hair exposed from under her hijab. The Basij violently forced the young siblings into an unmarked van and transported them to a detention facility.

 

Jina’s brother recounts, once in the van, both  brother and sister were subjected to severe physical abusive and continuous blows to the skull.  Obtained CCTV footage shows the moment of Jina‘s collapse, in the courthouse.  Jina was transported to a nearby medical facility, where 3-days later, she was declared brain dead.  The Islamic Republic still claims that Jina died of an un-diagnosed heart condition.  Jina Mahsa Amini was only 22-years old.

 

Originating from the Kurdish Women's Movement, Woman, Life, Freedom gained momentum during the Kurdish struggle for self-determination, during which women played a pivotal role as combatants and activists.  Despite facing patriarchal constraints within their own society, Kurdish women defied traditional norms, demanding change and equality.  The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" emerged during funerals for fallen Kurdish militants and later extended to encompass the broader fight for women's autonomy.  Zan, Zendegi, Azadi is the Farsi translation of the same.

 

Iranian women’s struggle for autonomy is further complicated by restrictive dress codes imposed by the Islamic government, symbolised by the mandatory, head-to-toe hijab.  Many women in Iran have bravely challenged these suffocating restrictions, engaging in acts of civil disobedience to express their desire for personal freedom and autonomy over their own bodies.

 

 

Iran has a complex history where cultural, religious, and political factors intertwine. The modern women's rights movement in the country has roots dating back to the early 19th century, with Tahereh, during the advent of the Bab -- the precursor to the Baha’i movement in Iran.

 

Tahereh was a woman praised for her scholarly mind; “a genius and a poetess”. She was born in the City of Qazvin, into a very religious family, circa 1914-1917.  Born Fatimah Baraghani, with other titles such as Umm-i Salmih and Zarrin-Taj Qurratu’l-Ayn, she was better known by her given title of Tahereh, ‘The Pure Gate’ bestowed upon her by the Bab.

 

Tahereh was a mother, writer, poet and speaker, familiar with literature, jurisprudence, and the principles of theology and their wider interpretations.  She used to converse, debate, and argue with scholars and men of State, and was known for leaving experts speechless for lack of rebuttal.

 

In Iran, contrary to the customs and traditions of the time, Tahereh was the first woman to appear unveiled in front of men, at the the Conference of Badasht, where she declared an absolute break with Islam, forever changing the course of political history in Iran, and could perhaps be called one of Woman, Life, Freedom’s first grassroots organisers.

 

One of the defining features of the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ movement has become its decentralised nature, with individuals and grassroots organisations taking the lead in organising protests, raising awareness, and amplifying the voices of survivors.  Social media platforms became battlegrounds for activists, who used hashtags like #JusticeForMahsa and #StopExecutionsInIran, to mobilise support and share testimonies of gender-based violence.

 

Woman, Life, Freedom has become more than a slogan; it has come to represents a profound commitment to dismantling oppressive structures and recognising the pivotal role of women in shaping a just and liberated society.  As the chants echoes in protests worldwide, it stands as a testament to the resilience of women everywhere and a call for solidarity in the global fight for gender equality and freedom.

 

In recent years, the call for women's empowerment has transcended borders, cultures, and societies.  Women worldwide are demanding equal rights, opportunities, and recognition; challenging age-old norms and dismantling barriers that have hindered women’s progress for thousands of years. The #MeToo movement, the fight against gender-based violence, and the advocacy for reproductive rights are just a few examples of the global wave of women's empowerment, reshaping societies.

 

The strength of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement also lies in the collective voices of individuals who refuse to be silenced.  Across continents, women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and allies are sharing stories, breaking the chains of silence, and demanding justice and equality.  Social media platforms amplify these voices, fostering global solidarity, and sparking conversations that challenge the cornerstones of patriarchal dominance.

 

However, amidst these empowering narratives, there exists a parallel narrative that threatens the very values women and their allies are fighting for – the rise of autocracy.

 

Totalitarianism, characterised by the concentration of power in the hands of a single authority, poses a growing threat to the principles of democracy, individual freedoms, and human rights.  In various corners of the world, governments are tightening their grip on power, suppressing dissent, and curtailing civil liberties.  This wave of authoritarianism jeopardises the progress made by the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and endangers the fundamental rights and liberties that form the foundation of any democratic society.

 

From restrictions on freedom of speech to the erosion of the rule of law, signs of totalitarianism are becoming more evident in diverse regions.  The stifling of dissent, the targeting of activists, and the erosion of democratic institutions undermine the very essence of a society that champions equality and individual liberties.  The intersectionality of women's empowerment and the fight against totalitarianism is undeniable.  As women assert their rights, they become targets of oppressive regimes seeking to suppress any form of dissent. The struggle for gender equality is inseparable from the broader fight for democracy, human rights, and social justice.

 

As women around the world continue to raise their voices in pursuit of a life of dignity, freedom, and equality, the global community must remain vigilant against the encroachment of dictatorships.  The Woman, Life, Freedom movement is interconnected with the larger struggle for democracy and human rights.  By recognising these intersectionalities, fostering international solidarity, and actively opposing authoritarian tendencies, we can work towards a world where the echoes of Woman, Life, Freedom reverberate freely, unencumbered by the concerning global trend toward fascism.

 

In the face of adversity, Iranian women have shown remarkable resilience and determination.  Activists, intellectuals, and ordinary women alike have played pivotal roles in advocating for change.  The One Million Signatures Campaign, launched in 2006, is a notable example of grassroots activism.  This movement aimed to collect one million signatures in support of changing discriminatory laws.  Although faced with government crackdowns and arrests, the campaign exemplified the strength and determination of Iranian women in their pursuit of gender equality.

 

The international community has increasingly recognised the struggles faced by Iranian women, leading to a growing solidarity movement outside Iran.  Human rights organisations, governments, and activists around the world have condemned discriminatory practices and called for reforms in support of women's rights in Iran. Social media campaigns such as ‘White Wednesdays’, ‘My Stealthy Freedom’ and ‘My Camera Is My Weapon’ highlight the defiance and the endurance of Iranian women faced with unimaginable abuse.  The global #MeToo movement has also resonated within Iranian society, encouraging survivors of sexual harassment and assault to speak out against their perpetrators.

 

The women, life, and freedom movement in Iran is a testament to the resilience and courage of Iranian women in the face of systemic challenges.  While progress has been slow, the ongoing efforts of activists and the global community's support are contributing to a gradual shift in attitudes and policies.  As Iranian women continue to demand equality, freedom, and a life free from discrimination, their collective voice remains a powerful force in shaping the future of women's rights around the world.

 

It's important to note that the women's rights landscape is diverse, and different regions may face unique challenges.  Additionally, the effectiveness of global solidarity depends on the collaboration and coordination among activists, organisations, and policymakers on an international scale.

 

Tahereh is said to have been the first Iranian woman to be executed for “Corruptions on Earth,” a charge that the Islamic Republic has regularly invoked against young girls like, Jina Mahsa Amini, its opponents, critics, and even protesters, in order to justify their executions.  Tahereh’s execution was one of the most gruesome events in Islamic history.  It was secretly carried out in the dead of night in Tehran’s Ilkhani Garden.  She was reportedly chocked with her own hijab and buried alive in a shallow well which was filled in with earth and stones.  Tahereh was only 35 years-old.

 

Besides being the only female member of Bab’s Letters of the Living, Tahereh was a pioneer advocate for women's rights in Iran.

Reportedly, her last words were "You may kill me as soon as you like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women.”

 

— and such is the spirit of the Iranian Women, the Jina Revolution, and Woman, Life, Freedom Movement

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