Starting with the abolition of the right to abortion in the USA, through the denial of women’s rights by the Taliban to the hijab protest in Iran – the recent period focuses mainly on harming women and their rights, but also their ability not to stand back and accept the dominance of men.
Is the horror over? A glimpse into the harsh reality of women under the government that promised change
“At this critical moment for women and girls in conflicts and crises around the world, we implore you to stand by the defenders of human rights and take immediate action to protect peace, rights and gender equality,” read this week in an open letter to all UN members on behalf of hundreds of civil society organizations in 92 countries Ahead of the open debate on women in the Security Council next month.
The letter also stated that despite the fragility of the rights of women, girls and other marginalized groups – they are fundamental to achieving peace. “The core task of the agenda – to prevent conflict and end wars – cannot be achieved without them.”
The women’s protests – this is what happened last week
“Women, Life, Freedom”
Probably the most burning arena in the struggle of women in recent times is the Islamic Republic, which continues to stir following the death of the young woman Mahsa Amini during her arrest by the “morality police”, for wearing a hijab in a “sloppy” manner.
Civil protests continue to sweep across the country, in various cities such as Tehran, Rafsanjan, Shiraz, Mashhad and other cities. While the security forces continue to violently suppress the demonstrations, when only in the last few days about 66 people have been killed throughout the country.
Despite the restrictions on the Internet designed to delay gatherings and prevent the distribution of images of the repression, the demonstrators adopted new tactics to convey their message, and thus it seems that the manifestations of the protest in Tehran are becoming a historical turning point these days in the courage of the young men and women to stand up to the regime.
The “hijab protest” has been going on for over two weeks and it seems that this is the largest popular protest and the most threatening to the religious leaders in the country in the last decade, when unlike other protest movements in the past – this one is led by women. Women bravely demonstrate in front of the security forces, burn the hijab as a sign of protest, and record themselves cutting their hair.
The riots in Iran following the killing of the young woman (Photo: REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)“We are not afraid anymore, we will fight,” read a large banner placed on an overhead bridge on Modras Road in central Tehran. Last Saturday, female students in Tehran called on President Ebrahim Raisi to “get lost” during his visit to their university campus, where he condemned the angry protesters over the young woman’s death.
“Despite all the efforts of bad people, the strong and hardworking people of Islamic Iran will overcome the problems with unity and cohesion,” the presidency website said.
Inspiration from the women of Iran
Over a year has passed since the Taliban entered the capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, and took over the country – and during its rule human rights violations against women have steadily increased. Despite the risk involved, at the present time the Afghan women refuse to accept their fate.
Women’s protests in the country have been on the rise since last week’s deadly bombing of an education center in Kabul, which killed at least 43 people – most of them women.
Women in Afghanistan protest against the Taliban (Photo: Reuters)
Women in Afghanistan protest against the Taliban (Photo: Reuters)Since the attack on September 30, women’s activists have taken to the streets across the country, mobilizing to condemn the incessant violence as well as the restrictions on women and minorities. And although the protests were dispersed by the Taliban authorities, dozens of demonstrators appeared in Kabul and the provinces of Herat, Amyan, Balkh, Nangarhar and Jazni in the past six days.
Another reason for the increase in the trend of demonstrations, according to the brains, is the ongoing protests in Iran. “Women in Iran and here suffer from almost the same problems. Women across the country and abroad should join hands to make their voices heard. Together we all win,” said Razia Mohsani, a 34-year-old women’s rights activist from Kabul, to Arab News.
“Fighting for everything we love”
Last June, the women’s protest arrived in full force in the United States after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade – a 49-year-old decision that guaranteed a woman’s legal right to have an abortion.
When just last weekend thousands of women filled the streets demanding the renewal of the right to abortion – a month before the mid-term elections in the country. The protest was organized by the Women’s March and other groups to emphasize to supporters that this year’s midterms are a crucial time to back candidates the movement sees as pro-abortion rights.
Protest against the abolition of the right to abortion in the USA (Photo: Reuters)
Protest against the abolition of the right to abortion in the USA (Photo: Reuters)“Everything feels like a fight for everything we love,” Rachel O’Leary Carmona, director of the Women’s March, told The Washington Post. “These are the first elections since the law was passed in this new era of American democracy, and it’s really important that women emerge as a voting block.”
As mentioned, the midterm elections are expected to determine the future of abortion access in states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan, where Democratic governors have blocked anti-abortion legislation proposed or passed by Republican-led legislatures.