Jan 28

Statement 1652 by the Defense of Women`s Right Committee on The Role of Women in the Revolutionary Uprising of January 2026

The Role of Women in the Revolutionary Uprising of January 2026

The protests of Dey 1404 continue.

According to statistics from Sedaye Tabriz, so far 1,500 people have been killed and more than 33,000 people have been injured in these protests.

However, these figures are far lower than the reality, because the Islamic Republic of Iran, by cutting off the internet, shutting down systems, and suppressing information, prevents the publication of the real statistics of these crimes.

Existing evidence and reports show that in these protests, women—despite facing greater risks—have continued their protests in the streets.

They face security pressures, legal and practical restrictions, arrest, imprisonment, and even the risk of being killed, yet they continue their resistance in the streets.

How the Islamic Republic of Iran Has Treated Women Over 47 Years

  1. Suppression of freedom of expression and peaceful protest by women
  2. Organized and systematic repression and violence against protesting women
  3. Mandatory hijab and deprivation of women’s autonomy over their bodies, clothing, and lifestyle
  4. Discriminatory and oppressive laws in the legal and judicial system
  5. Deprivation of women from equal political, social, and economic participation
  6. Structural and institutionalized violence against women
  7. Employment, economic, and educational discrimination against women
  8. Suppression of women from ethnic, religious, and social minorities
  9. Judicial injustice and lack of legal protection for women victims of violence
  10. Criminalization of women’s demands and civil resistance and more …

 

The continuation of these trends not only violates women’s rights, but also weakens social justice, the rule of law, and human dignity in society.

Women in Iran are not merely the subject of policymaking; they are active, aware, and influential actors in social and political transformations. Ignoring women’s rights and voices will have irreparable consequences for society.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  • Article 3: Right to life
  • Article 5: Prohibition of torture
  • Article 9: Prohibition of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment
  • Article 19: Freedom of opinion and expression
  • Article 20: Right to peaceful assembly
  • Article 21: Right to participate in public affairs

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

  • Article 1: Definition of discrimination against women
  • Article 2: State obligation to eliminate discrimination
  • Article 5: Elimination of discriminatory social and cultural patterns
  • Article 7: Women’s participation in political and public life
  • Article 15: Equality before the law

2030 Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 5: Gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls
  • Goal 10: Reduction of inequalities
  • Goal 16: Peace, justice, and accountable institutions

 

Defense of Human Rights Association in Iran

Defense of Women`s Right Committee

Translated by Alireza Jahan Bin

English