Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran is encouraging, as we fight for women’s bodily autonomy here in the US

BY SHAWHIN ROUDBARI AND SABRINA SIDERIS

How do we organize together in social movements with longevity? Our collective strategies, our power analyses, and our direct action can bring about lasting social change, or it can be a spark that fizzles out. On rare occasions, we find inspiration in surprising places. One of those is presenting itself right now: In Iran, women, youth and their allies of all genders and ages have been waging an anti-patriarchal, pro-democracy struggle since September.

As we fight for women’s bodily autonomy here in the U.S., we can find inspiration in Iran.

The Islamic Republic is a patriarchal regime that is enforcing “female modesty” through the mandatory covering of women’s hair and bodies. Women can be arrested by “morality police” for simply showing their hair in public. Even worse, they can face state-sanctioned rape, torture, imprisonment and even murder.

This happened to Mahsa Jina

Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian who was visiting Tehran and wearing her head scarf loosely. She was arrested and sent to a re-education camp. Several days later, she died in police custody after being brutally beaten. Mahsa Amini’s death set off widespread protests which continue today. Young women have been removing head coverings mandated by the conservative regime and cutting off their ponytails in public. In their classrooms, girls in uniform can be seen giving the middle finger to the framed photograph of the supreme leader of Iran.

For more than seven months now, the Iranian people have resisted peacefully. Middle schoolers have taken control of their schools; high school girls have mobilized protests in their neighborhoods; college students have organized walkouts and boycotts on their campuses. Iranian oil workers went on strike in solidarity with youth-led protests. A song, “Baraye” by Iranian singer/songwriter Shervin Hajipour, won a Grammy Award.

The Islamic Republic has responded with extreme violence. They have beaten girls to death in their schools