From My Heart to Yours: Why Iran's Issues Should Matter to All of Us
- farnazdadashi
- Feb 20, 2023
- 10 min read
Updated: Sep 20, 2023
As someone who was born in Iran and later immigrated across three continents with a single mother in pursuit of equality and freedom, the current situation in Iran strikes a personal chord with me. Over the past four months, there has been a massive uprising led by brave women and girls who are fighting for the same principles that my mother sought when we escaped the country. I have always been passionate about empowering women, but my transformation into an activist for women's rights was not overnight. My personal experiences have deeply influenced this passion, and it has been one of the biggest driving forces throughout my life and even career as a personal fashion stylist. This includes my ongoing desire to subconciously boost my client's self-confidence and encourage self-expression through the medium of style and fashion. Given the significance of the movement in Iran, I feel it's important to take a moment and share what has been happening there with those who may not be familiar and humanize the experience.
In September 2023, the world witnessed the heartbreaking death of Mahsa Zhina Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who was killed by the morality police during a family vacation in Tehran, Iran. Her death led to the emergence of a groundbreaking feminist movement called WOMAN. LIFE. FREEDOM, which has become the largest and most notable movement of its kind in history and is echoing in the streets all over the world. As an Iranian-American historian, author, and women's rights activist, Nina Ansary once eloquently stated,
“Lifting the veil of misunderstanding while shattering the stereotypical assumptions. The story of women in Iran is audacious because throughout history they have struggled against entrenched patriarchal regimes and never relented. They are not relenting now. Against formidable odds and despite prohibitions and arrests, their movement is unexpectedly thriving. Women from across the social, religious, and cultural spectrum are joining together. With resilience and tenacity, they persist”.
It's worth noting that Iranian women have been fighting for equality for decades, and prior to the 1979 revolution, they enjoyed many of the same rights as their male counterparts, living freely and without fear of repression. Nonetheless, their struggle for gender equality has persisted, and the current revolutionary movement is a powerful testament to their resilience and tenacity in the face of violence, injustice, and pure evil. Campaigns and protests advocating for women's rights have been brutally suppressed, and those who dare to speak out face severe repercussions, including exile, death, torture, lengthy solitary confinement jail sentences.
Photographer Hengameh Golestan was present on March 8th, 1979, when 100,000 women marched on the streets of Tehran to protest against the mandatory wearing of the hijab for all women. In 1983, the Compulsory Hijab became mandatory for all Iranians, and disobeying this Islamic dress code has been a punishable offense. To enforce this dress code, the "Morality Police," also known as "Gasht-e-Ershad" or "Guidance Patrol," was formed in 2005. The patrol is responsible for ensuring that all women and girls above the age of seven comply with the laws of Islamic dress. However, since there are no clear guidelines, the enforcement of these laws is often subjective and brutal.
As per Iran's “Interior Minister”, during a three-month period in 2014, approximately 220,000 women were taken to police stations and required to sign statements promising to wear hijabs, while 19,000 received notices to cover their hair, and 9,000 were detained. Furthermore, in 2014, the police provided warnings and guidance to an additional 3.6 million Iranians who failed to adhere to the Islamic dress code.
While the compulsory hijab issue sparked this movement, it is crucial to acknowledge that women in Iran face deeper issues, including being valued at only 50% compared to men. The systematic oppression by the police, which includes segregation and control of both public and private spaces, has severely impacted the daily lives of millions of people. It is astonishing to consider that the most fundamental activities that we take for granted in our everyday lives are prohibited for our female counterparts on the opposite side of the world.
Here are nine things that women are prohibited from doing in Iran:
Traveling abroad without the permission of their male guardian
Marrying a non-Muslim man
Divorcing their husband without his consent, except under certain circumstances
Watching sports events in stadiums, if caught you will go to jail
Appearing in public without wearing a headscarf (hijab)
Riding a bicycle, singing or dancing in public
Inheriting property equally with men
Testifying in court for some crimes or in certain circumstances.
Being in public with a man who is not their husband or a close relative
While some people may hesitate to support the movement for fear of being labeled as Islamophobic, it's important to recognize that Iran is a diverse country with various ethnic and religious minorities, including Zoroastrians, Jews, Christians, Sunni Muslims, Baha’i, Sikhs, Kurds, Balochi, Lurs, Azeris, Armenians, and Afghans.
As outsiders, it's crucial to understand that Iranians have been deprived of some fundamental human rights for decades. It's important to be aware of what's going on rather than falling into the scapegoat of generalization of this issue as another complicated moment in Middle Eastern history. A threat to democracy anywhere is a threat to democracies everywhere!
To that end, here is a brief list of what Iranians are asking for:
A call for a secular democracy, a new constitution, and a change in the government
Fighting to end gender and religious-based discrimination and segregation, as well as the systematic oppression, violence, unlawful executions, and the spread of terrorism throughout the world
Advocating for various freedoms, including freedom of self-expression, greater freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and speech, and an end to political censorship and persecution of political dissidents
An end to the exploitation of natural resources and the destruction of Iran's beautiful environmental landscape
To free all 19,000 + political prisoners and stop using torture and sexual abuse as a form of correctional punishment
Stop internet shutdowns and censorship.
It is also important to note what this movement is NOT about, because there’s been a lot of misinformation that’s hindered the general public's perspective on how Iran is viewed in media.
Financial Stress: Although the Islamic Republic's economic policies have caused complete failure and destruction, the general public is not protesting solely due to financial stress, but rather the numerous burdens imposed on them by these policie.
Reform: This movement is not seeking reform or foreign military intervention, but instead, it calls for forming alliances and the dissolution of the Islamic Republic as Iran's governing establishment.
Reinstating Monarchy: Nobody is interested in reinstating the monarchy. Iran’s future is democracy and we know that this will require the formation of an opposition coalition from the outside to help the transition. The individuals who have stepped forward thus far include, exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi, Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi and Canada-based activist Hamed Esmaeilion, journalist and women’s rights activist Masih Alinejad, actresses and activists Nazanin Boniadi and Golshifteh Farahani, former captain of Iran’s national soccer team Ali Karimi and Secretary General of Komala Iranian Kurdish party Abdullah Mohtadi
An attack on Islam: The Islamic Republic has manipulated, spread propaganda, and weaponized religion to control, segregate, and pervade fear. This movement centers around the principles of liberty of choice, individual agency, and peaceful coexistence.
I am humbled by the unwavering determination of the protestors. The new generation is not disillusioned or afraid; they are vigorous and full of life! Numerous distinguished individuals, such as women's rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh, acclaimed film director Jafar Panahi, and actress Taraneh Alidoosti, soccer player Amir Nasr-Azadani, rappers Toomaj Salehi and Saman Yasin, as well as singer Shervin Hajipour have spoken out against the heinous crimes against humanity in Iran. Sadly, all of them have been subjected to unjust persecution, and some even face the grave risk of being executed as political prisoners. While this is undoubtedly a women-led revolution, it is equally important to acknowledge the men and boys who are bravely standing up against tyranny, protecting and supporting their fellow citizens.To date, the number of arrests stands at 19,763, with 529 demonstrators and 71 minors losing their lives in the cause. Notably, these fallen heroes had an average age of 26 years old.
When I witnessed the protests erupting in Iran and the brutal reaction from the government, I was overwhelmed with extreme sadness and shock. As an Iranian living abroad, along with millions of others who have been displaced from our homeland and forced to make a life in foreign lands, the pain was all too real. The anguish of being separated from family and the agony of political persecution that our generations passed faced came flooding back, like a wound that never healed. It was as if the very blood shed on the streets of Iran flowed through our veins, igniting a deep and profound sense of loss. What was happening wasn't just another news story coming out of the middle east, it was directly affecting my peers, friends and family.
I felt an overwhelming sense of anger and frustration, especially since the Western media wasn't giving the protest the coverage it deserved.I knew I had to do something to make a difference and use my skills and voice, to help raise awareness and support those on the ground courageously fighting for their freedom. I started helping organize protests in San Francisco and building relationships with local media outlets to increase coverage on the subject.
Around the same time, the Iranian Diaspora Collective was formed (now a non-profit organization). Our mission is to amplify the voices of Iranians and demonstrate to the world that we are not defined by the Islamic Republic. Instead, we aim to reclaim and celebrate the beauty and influence of our culture. We also wanted to let our Hamvatans (our people) know that we saw them, we stood with them, and we were in this fight for the long haul. As part of our efforts, we raised over $450,000 from 6,300 + donors within weeks via gofund me and launched a nationwide billboard campaign with 136 media activations across Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington DC, which received over 22 million impressions. The experience highlighted the immense power of collective action towards a common goal and the subsequent spread of similar initiatives by Iranian communities worldwide. The impact was intellectually stimulating and emotionally captivating, leaving a lasting impression of the potential of collaborative endeavors.
This project has been an incredible journey for me, not only in terms of spreading awareness, but also in harnessing the power of art to effect meaningful social change. It has been an absolute honor to work with a remarkable and dedicated team of individuals from both Iranian and non-Iranian backgrounds, who joined forces to create an enduring legacy that will inspire generations to come. I am filled with a deep sense of purpose and inspiration, knowing that we have made a significant mark on history.
It's crucial that my friends, followers, and creative partners come together to amplify the voices of the Iranian people right now! The content you see on social media, including what you're reading and seeing now, takes immense courage to create and share. Every act of opposition, performance, protest art, and song carries the risk of endangering not only our own lives but also those of our families. Despite this risk, we are determined to pursue freedom and equality and are willing to risk everything for it. I'm going to end this journal entry with some concrete ways you can support us during our revolution. If you've made it this far, I want to take a moment and thank you for being here.
Donate: There are many charities and non-profit organizations diligently working to support human rights advocacy, VPN projects, and increase media awareness. Unfortunately, due to sanctions, we cannot directly send money or help Iranians in Iran. So, make sure to triple-check where your money is going. Some organizations to consider donating to include Human Rights Watch, IDC, Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, For Woman Life Freedom , Kurdish Human Rights Network
Knowledge is Power : One of the most significant things you can do is to help raise awareness about the current situation in Iran. You can share news articles and social media posts to help spread the word about what's happening and encourage others to get involved. Here are some sources that create English content that's digestible and full of information: Diaspora for Iran, From___Iran, IDC, Persians with Purpose , United 4 Mahsa, Center for Human Rights , Daily Updates On Iran Protest , Hengaw Organization
Contact Your Officials: Call, tweet, email your elected officials and urge them to support the The MAHSA Act H.R.9203. This bill will require the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain persons (individuals and entities) affiliated with the Islamic Republic.
Locate your representatives address, phone number, and email: congress.gov/members/find-your-member
Help Iranians Bypass Internet Censorship: Snowflake is a system that allows people from all over the world to access censored websites and applications. Learn how to help
Sign Petitions: These petitions have proven to work in the last couple months, here are some you can sign and support. Stop Executions in Iran , Freedom House, G7 Leaders: Expel Iran's Diplomats, Demand EU Countries Stand with Iranian Women , Free Toomaj
Volunteer and Offer Support to Existing Organizations: Consider volunteering your time or offering support to organizations working to help Iranians. Raha Intl , Human Rights Watch, IDC, Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, For Woman Life Freedom , Kurdish Human Rights Network
Media Coverage: Giving Iranians the opportunity to tell their stories will help humanize the experience. Interviews, articles, op-eds, editiorial placements, T.V appearance – it all helps. If you are an editor or writer and need concrete information feel free to use IDC living document or Daily Update on Iran Protest as resources.
Enlighten Your Mind: Our culture has so much to offer, including literature, food, art, music, films, photography, fashion, and history. Iranian culture is too abundant, and I swear you will be taken by how rich and boundless its potential is.
Books to read: Jewels of Allah: The Untold Story of Women in Iran, Anonymous Is a Woman: A Global Chronicle of Gender Inequality, Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, The Wind in My Hair: My Fight for Freedom in Modern Iran, Let Us Believe in the Beginning of the Cold Season, Reading Lolita in Tehran, Funny in Farsi, The Blind Owl, The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree, Her Eyes, Persian Poets (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets Series)
Films to watch: The Separation, The House is Black, Where Is The Friend's Home, Close-Up, There Is No Evil, A Moment Of Innocence, Brick And Mirror, Through The Olive Trees, The White Ballon, No Bears, Holy Spider, A Hero, Hit The Road, Shayda, Ballad Of A White Cow, Ava, The Salesman, Under The Shadow, Taxi Tehran, About Elly, The White Meadows, Woman Without Men, Shirin, Persepolis, Half Moon, Offside, Beautiful City, The Lizard, Crimson Gold, Runaway, Divorce Iranian Style, The Pear Tree, Children Of Heaven, Taste Of Cherry, Leila, Nargess, Mother, The Last Act, The Apple, The Color Of Paradise, Persian Version
Together we're stronger than apart <3
xx,
Farnaz Dadashi