From Protest to Policy: What a Free Iran Could Look Like for Women

For decades, Iranian women have been at the forefront of protests and resistance against the oppressive policies of the Islamic Republic, particularly those enforced by the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps). The “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, which gained momentum after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, has demonstrated the unbreakable resolve of Iranian women to reclaim their rights, dignity, and autonomy.

But what happens after the protests? What kind of policies and social structures would replace Iran’s current legal and political system to ensure a free and equal society for women?

This report explores:

 • The key demands of Iranian women for a free Iran.

 • Legal and social policy changes needed to ensure gender equality.

 • The role of international solidarity in shaping Iran’s democratic future.

A post-IRGC Iran offers a hopeful vision—one where women are no longer second-class citizens but equal participants in shaping their nation’s future.

1. Key Demands: What Iranian Women Are Fighting For

A. Full Legal Equality

In a free Iran, women must have equal rights under the law, including:

✔ Abolition of discriminatory family laws (marriage, divorce, child custody).

✔ Equal inheritance rights, ending gender-based economic inequalities.

✔ Freedom from compulsory hijab laws, allowing women to choose their dress.

✔ Elimination of gender-based restrictions in employment, sports, and leadership roles.

B. Political Representation and Leadership

A democratic Iran must ensure that women have equal political power, including:

✔ Equal representation in parliament, government offices, and judiciary positions.

✔ Protection of women’s rights activists from intimidation, arrest, and violence.

✔ Independent women-led organizations shaping future policies.

C. Freedom of Expression and Media Representation

Women’s voices must be heard, without the threat of censorship or IRGC surveillance:

✔ Abolition of gender censorship in media and arts.

✔ Legal protections for women journalists, activists, and writers.

✔ End to digital repression, allowing women to freely express opinions online.

D. Protection Against Gender-Based Violence

✔ Criminalization of domestic violence, marital rape, and honor killings.

✔ Independent investigations into IRGC abuses against women.

✔ Safe spaces and shelters for women escaping domestic violence.

2. Transforming Iran’s Legal System: A Future Without Gender Discrimination

A. Rewriting the Constitution

A free Iran must have a new constitution that:

 • Guarantees gender equality as a fundamental right.

 • Abolishes Sharia-based legal restrictions on women.

 • Ensures that laws align with international human rights standards.

B. Dismantling the Morality Police and the IRGC’s Gender Control Policies

 • Abolition of the morality police and mandatory dress codes.

 • Prosecution of officials responsible for the arrest, torture, and execution of women protesters.

 • Security sector reforms, preventing state-sponsored gender oppression.

C. Judicial Reforms: Women’s Equal Access to Justice

 • Fair trials for all political prisoners, including women journalists and activists.

 • Independent courts free from religious and military control.

 • Training police and judges to handle gender-based crimes sensitively.

3. Economic Freedom: Women’s Role in a Thriving Iran

A. Breaking Economic Barriers

In a post-IRGC Iran, women must have:

✔ Equal pay and job opportunities in all sectors.

✔ Access to financial independence, including bank accounts and property rights.

✔ Support for women entrepreneurs, investing in female-led businesses.

B. Education Reform for Gender Equity

✔ Equal access to education, including in STEM, law, and politics.

✔ Abolition of university quotas restricting women’s enrollment.

✔ Inclusion of women’s history and feminist perspectives in school curricula.

4. The Role of Global Solidarity in Building a Free Iran

A. The International Community’s Responsibility

✔ Recognition of Iranian women’s resistance as a human rights struggle.

✔ Targeted sanctions against IRGC officials involved in gender oppression.

✔ Support for Iranian women activists, granting asylum to those at risk.

B. Media and Cultural Representation

✔ Global media coverage of Iranian women’s fight for freedom.

✔ Amplification of Iranian women’s voices through international platforms.

✔ Support for exiled Iranian writers, filmmakers, and journalists.

5. What Comes Next: Turning Protest into Policy

Iranian women have led the fight for freedom—now, they must lead the rebuilding of their country. A future without the IRGC means a democratic Iran where women are equal partners in shaping society.

Key Steps Forward:

✔ Drafting a new constitution with gender equality at its core.

✔ Ensuring women’s representation in government and policymaking.

✔ Reforming legal, economic, and social systems to dismantle oppression.

A free Iran is not just about removing the IRGC—it’s about creating a nation where women have the freedom, power, and security they deserve.

Conclusion: A Future of Equality and Justice

The “Women, Life, Freedom” movement is more than a protest—it’s a blueprint for Iran’s future. Iranian women are not just demanding freedom; they are leading the transformation toward a just, equal, and democratic Iran.