Protests In Iran

Dixya Poudel

On September 16, 2022, 22-year-old Iranian Masha Amini died under the custody of morality police in Iran. Her unjust death consequently created a worldwide outcry. Iranian girls and women are now taking to streets to protest the age-old oppressive rules against women. The fact that an innocent female died a tragic death under the custody of morality police is an anathema to human rights. It isn’t thus surprising that Iranians are enraged by the acts of the government policies which sacrifice the lives of women in the name of morality. 

Iranian government in turn is taking to quell the ongoing protests by brutal force. Numerous women protestors have been killed in a bid to suppress a voice that has been raised by Masha Amini’s death. She has become a symbol of resistance inspiring Iranian girls and women to raise their voices even at the cost of being brutally silenced. Their courage is inspirational and people throughout the world are sending them words of support. 

However, will the Iranian government yield or increasingly resort to violence against those protesting in the streets? It has already pointed fingers at foreign powers and anti-revolutionary elements at instigating the ongoing protests. It is an era wherein most developed nations provide equal rights to women. Even in developing nations with democratic governments, significant steps have been taken to educate girls and empower women. 

As the world moves towards women inclusion and rights, it is tragic that nations like Iran which is semi-developed fails to safeguard its girls and women with the imposition of restricting morality police. Iran has strict Islamic rules that are particularly stringent towards girls and women.

 So far Iran’s female citizens had been complying with such rules but now they have had enough and they are burning hijabs and cutting their hair to bring forth a lasting change while the world closely follows Iranian government’s actions. One can only remain oppressed for so long. As world history has shown, the oppressed will eventually find a voice against the oppressors. 

It is human nature to want equality, fraternity and liberty. And each and every person is entitled to human rights. Their violations shouldn’t be taken lightly. People are known to fight for their rights even if it is perilous. Such individuals then become a symbol for the rest in speaking up and aloud against violence and human rights infringements. In a way the world today is more inclusive, tolerant and respectful. 

Sooner or later, what was once a silent acceptance of injustice will result in an enraged outcry. Non-living things and animals may be voiceless but humans aren’t. It is inherent in them to envision a better future with equal rights to happiness, a purposeful life and a meaningful existence. As such, women have been suffering for too long at the hands of patriarchy and unjust rules that confine them within limitations. As seen in Iran, women are now no longer silent. Masha Amini’s death has led to condemnation of the morality police and the Iranian government. The world stands in solidarity with the Iranian girls and women in their fierce protests.