Iran’s Treatment of Women Exposed: Dress Code Violence, Child Marriage, and Discrimination
The treatment of women in Iran has come under scrutiny, revealing a grim reality of discrimination and abuse. Recent reports by the U.N. Human Rights Council special rapporteur on Iran shed light on the oppressive practices faced by women in the country. Despite Tehran’s denial of these accusations, the evidence paints a troubling picture of the treatment of women in Iran.
One of the ways in which women are controlled is through compulsory dress codes. The police, Basij militia, and vigilante morality police enforce these codes with violence. Women who do not wear the hijab head scarf can face harassment, arrest, hefty fines, and even imprisonment of up to two months. Those who dare to challenge these laws have faced severe consequences, including years in prison.
The death of Mahsa Amini, who was in custody for breaching hijab rules, sparked widespread protests across Iran. The security forces responded by beating women who removed their hijabs during the protests. Shockingly, the U.N. rapporteur’s report reveals that security forces also sexually assaulted women who were arrested during these protests. Iran has denied these claims, but rights groups and former detainees support this troubling evidence.
In addition to dress codes, Iran’s treatment of women is also evident in matters of marriage and divorce. The legal age for girls to marry is a shocking 13 years old, and even younger girls can be married with special consent. Government data shows that over 13,000 girls aged 13 were married between March 2018 and March 2019. Furthermore, a woman must seek her father’s permission to marry, and husbands can prevent their wives from working or traveling. Polygamy is allowed, and husbands have the right to divorce their wives at will, while women face significant obstacles to divorce and often have to give up financial claims.
The criminal law system in Iran also exhibits gender discrimination. Girls as young as nine lunar years can be held criminally responsible for serious crimes, whereas boys cannot be held responsible until they are 15 lunar years old. There are discrepancies in the compensation offered for the families of murder victims, with women receiving only half of the compensation given to men. Additionally, a woman’s testimony in court is considered inferior to that of a man in many legal proceedings.
Violence against women is another disturbing aspect of their treatment in Iran. Shockingly, sexual assault is not criminalized as a distinct crime. Rape can only be prosecuted as an illicit form of sexual relations, and even then, the victim risks punishment if she cannot prove coercion. Furthermore, the penal code provides exemptions for men who kill their wives if they witness them committing adultery. This fosters a dangerous environment for women and girls accused of sexual misconduct, allowing for so-called honour killings.
Employment opportunities for women are also severely limited in Iran. They are ineligible to become judges, and few have managed to attain senior political roles. Women have been denied the opportunity to stand as candidates in elections, and authorities have occasionally barred them from working in various professions, such as secretaries, office managers, and even in restaurants and cafes.
The treatment of women in Iran is a matter of concern and warrants international attention. The violations against women’s rights, including the violent enforcement of dress codes, child marriage, discrimination in marriage and divorce, gender bias in the criminal justice system, and limited employment opportunities, paint a bleak picture. It is essential for global bodies and the international community to address these issues and work towards protecting the rights and dignity of women in Iran.
