Iranian Women Go on Hunger Strike for Mahsa Amini

On September 16, 2022, Mahsa Amini died in the custody of Iran’s moral police after being arrested for not adhering to a strict Islamic dress code. Her death sparked widespread protests across the country. Now, two years later, 34 Iranian women prisoners have embarked on a hunger strike, and many women are defying hijab rules to mark the anniversary of her death.

The slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’—Woman, Life, Freedom—has become a hallmark of the movement ignited by Amini’s death. Amini, who was jailed for not following the strict dress code, died in custody, leading to a massive protest against the regime of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

On the second anniversary of her death, Mahsa Amini’s parents are under house arrest and are prohibited from holding their annual memorial gathering. Additionally, the Aichi Cemetery in Saqqez, where Amini is buried, has been blocked off, with increased security measures in place.

In Tehran’s northern suburbs and southern working-class areas, women have been seen walking the streets without hijabs. Videos showing women with uncovered heads in public parks and city streets are circulating widely on social media.

In Evin Prison in Tehran, several women have started a hunger strike to protest against the government’s repressive policies. Prominent Iranian activists like Narges Mohammadi, Verisheh Moradi, Mahbobeh Rezaei, and Parivash Muslimi are among those participating in the hunger strike.

The Iranian government has taken severe measures against women not wearing hijabs, using surveillance cameras and drones to monitor public spaces. Women like Alef, who posted photos of herself without a hijab on social media, have faced arrest and harsh punishment.

Although Iran’s new reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has promised to end the harassment of women by the morality police, the hijab remains a potent symbol of religious and political control. Despite some easing of restrictions since Amini’s death, the fight for women’s rights in Iran continues.