The new project of hijab lawrecently approved in Iranamounts to gender apartheid. According to him NCRI Women’s Committeewhich works with Iranian women outside the country and maintains constant contact with women inside Iran, this change turns into law the regime’s repressive rules on the use of the hijab or veil, with a series of punishments including fines, prison sentences and restrictions on education and employment for women who do not comply with the mandatory dress code.
Political use
This also extends to the ban on services for unveiled women and even the implementation of gender segregation in parks, hospitals and universities.
The organization reported that the project had been worked on for a month, and this week, the spokesperson for the Guardian Council confirmed that it was officially approved, although until now it has not extended its socialization.
At the same time, given the critical situation in the country, the regime is deeply concerned about the possibility of social unrest reigniting and another uprising breaking out, such as the Women, Life, Freedom, of 2022.
Repression
Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, criticized the news. “Following the adoption of the law on compulsory hijab, freedom-loving Iranian women say to the Guardian Council, the supreme leader of the mullahs and their president, Masoud Pezeshkian: No to the compulsory veil, no to compulsory religion and not to mandatory government.”
Article 32 of the bill even mandates that women must comply with hijab rules not only in public but also in virtual spaces. The above is seen as an effect far beyond imposing a dress code, but is a direct attack on women’s autonomy and their ability to exist freely in society.
Crisis
Until now, many citizens wonder why the government is focusing on the imposition of the hijab amid unprecedented inflation, the collapse of the rial and the threat of social uprisings. “It is a tactic to divert attention and assert control, especially over women who have become the symbol of the resistance,” said the NCRI Women’s Committee.
For her part, Claudia Ivette Pedraza, a researcher at La Salle University in Mexico, highlighted that laws and mandates that restrict women’s freedom attack their dignity and fundamental rights. Despite the religious and cultural justifications that support these practices, Pedraza considered that these are discriminatory, since they apply exclusively to women.
These laws contravene essential rights such as freedom of expression, the right to image and gender equality, he stated in an interview for El Debate.
Claudia Ivette Pedraza, also an expert in political and social sciences, regretted that many sanctions are not merely administrative, since some may include physical punishment, which represents a form of violence from the State.
Organizations
He even analyzed that in the case of Iran these regulations are linked to notions of chastity and property, where women are seen as an object of the family or husband. This construction of the female image perpetuates a restrictive vision of their role in society. He warned about the risk of falling into Islamophobia when criticizing the violation of human rights in the Arab context.
It is crucial to respect religious beliefs, but the persecution of women who decide not to follow these norms cannot be allowed, said the specialist.
Woman, Life, Freedom
For his part, Adán Rodríguez, an expert in Middle East studies and academic at UNAM, pointed out that the recent bill seeks to punish the ideas of freedom professed by some sectors within Iranian society, especially with respect to feminist groups. , and in this way avoid more situations such as the demonstrations and violence that the death of Mahsa Amini generated with the Women, Life and Freedom movement.
In some way, he indicated that they seek to strengthen the power of the morality police.
Adán Rodríguez considered that, however, its approval will not necessarily be applied as it is in terms of sanctions and punishments, since the current government of Masoud Pezeshkian has been more moderate, despite the predominance in the parliament of the more conservative sectors of the Iranian regime.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Claudia Ivette Pedraza on Iran’s Hijab Law
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Claudia Ivette Pedraza. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent developments in Iran regarding the new hijab law. To start, could you explain how you perceive the implications of this law given the context of women’s rights in Iran?
Claudia Ivette Pedraza: Thank you for having me. The implications of the newly approved hijab law in Iran are profound and troubling. It effectively codifies gender apartheid, instituting severe penalties for women who do not comply with compulsory veiling. This goes beyond just a dress code; it’s an attack on women’s autonomy and their rights to exist freely in society.
Time.news Editor: The law not only mandates compliance in public but also extends to virtual spaces. What does this signify for women’s rights and freedoms in Iran?
Claudia Ivette Pedraza: This is a critical aspect of the law. By regulating women’s appearance even in digital spaces, the regime makes it clear that it seeks to control not just women’s physical presence but also their personal and social expressions. It restricts their freedom of speech and undermines their right to privacy. This law is indicative of a broader societal repression, aiming to silence and isolate women.
Time.news Editor: The National Council of Resistance of Iran has criticized this move as an attempt to divert attention from pressing issues like economic collapse and social unrest. Do you think this is a valid interpretation?
Claudia Ivette Pedraza: Absolutely. The Iranian government is aware of the growing dissatisfaction among its citizens, particularly following events like the “Women, Life, Freedom” uprising in 2022. Focusing on the hijab allows the regime to reassert control over the narrative and distract the populace from more pressing issues such as inflation and economic discontent. Women have become symbols of resistance, and by targeting them, the regime attempts to suppress dissent.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned earlier that the laws contravene essential rights. Can you elaborate on the fundamental rights at stake here?
Claudia Ivette Pedraza: Certainly. These laws violate numerous fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, the right to self-identity, and gender equality. They present women as second-class citizens, subject to different rules merely because of their gender. Such discriminatory practices perpetuate systemic inequality and serve the regime’s narrative of enforced morality rather than genuine societal welfare.
Time.news Editor: Some argue that there are religious and cultural justifications behind these mandates. How do you respond to that?
Claudia Ivette Pedraza: While the regime may claim religious and cultural justifications for enforcing the hijab, it is essential to recognize that these laws disproportionately affect women. The imposition of such mandates reflects a form of institutionalized sexism that is not supported universally by all cultures or interpretations of religion. True respect for cultural practices involves the freedom to choose, rather than coercion.
Time.news Editor: what can the international community do to support Iranian women at this critical juncture?
Claudia Ivette Pedraza: The international community must amplify the voices of Iranian women and support their rights through advocacy and awareness campaigns. It’s essential to hold the Iranian government accountable for its human rights violations and to apply pressure for legal reforms that respect women’s autonomy. Solidarity is crucial—not only for Iranian women but for all who struggle against oppressive regimes worldwide.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Claudia, for your insights into this critical issue. It is essential that we continue to engage in discussions like this to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of women everywhere.
Claudia Ivette Pedraza: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic. The struggle for women’s rights, especially in Iran, deserves our attention and action.