A Cry for Equality Against Discrimination and Oppression
International Women’s Day is a symbol of women’s historical struggle to achieve equality, human dignity, and fundamental rights. This day emphasizes that gender equality is not a privilege, but an obvious and undeniable right that includes safety, freedom of choice, equal access to education, social participation, and an end to structural discrimination.
Hidden Violence Against Women in Iran
Economic Violence:
- Preventing employment, controlling income, and even seizing bank cards.
- Financial dependence to limit women’s independence.
- Lower wages for women in the workplace.
Psychological and Emotional Violence:
- Humiliation in public, silence, and indifference as “punishment.”
- Mocking values and undermining women’s self-confidence.
Sexual Violence:
- Ignoring sexual consent in marital relationships.
- Proposals for relationships by employers for hiring.
Legal Violence:
- Requirement of permission from a husband for married women or a father for daughters to leave the country.
- Legal discrimination in laws and certain court rulings.
Discrimination Against Single Women:
- Cultural, social, and economic pressures and lack of independence for female heads of household.
Honor Killings; Death with Legal Support:
- Discriminatory laws are one of the factors for the continuation of femicide in Iran.
- In some cases, the law grants leniency for family-related killings.
- Exemption of the father from retribution for the murder of a child.
Digital Violence Against Women:
- Increase in threats, slander, and harassment in cyberspace.
- Publication of private information or images without consent.
- Lack of effective laws to protect women’s privacy.
Statistics of Violence Against Women in Iran (2025)
- 1923 people were executed in Iran, of whom 59 were women.
- 203 women in Iran were victims of “honor killings” (Experts believe the actual figures are much higher, as many cases are never recorded).
- According to the Statistical Center of Iran, 94% of spousal abuse cases recorded in forensic medicine are related to women.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
- Article 1: All are born free and equal.
- Article 2: Non-discrimination.
- Article 7: All are equal before the law.
- Article 22: Right to social security.
- Article 23: Right to safety of work.
UNESCO 2030 Agenda:
- Goal 4: Ensuring high-quality and equal education for all.
- Goal 5: Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
- Goal 8: Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full employment, and decent work for all.
- Goal 10: Reducing inequalities within and among countries.
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran:
- Article 20: Equality of men and women under the protection of the law and enjoyment of human, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
- Article 21: Government commitment to protect women’s rights, strengthen their position in society, and support mothers and women without guardians.
Defense of Human Rights Association in Iran
Defense of Women`s Rights Committee
Translated by Alireza Jahan Bin
