Hijab as a Symbol of Resistance: The Fight for Bodily Autonomy in Iran

The hijab in Iran is far more than a piece of fabric; it has become a powerful symbol at the center of a national struggle for freedom, human rights, and bodily autonomy. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic has enforced strict dress codes, with the mandatory hijab being one of its most visible markers of control. For Iranian women, this mandate is not simply about clothing; it represents decades of state-enforced oppression and the denial of personal choice. However, in recent years, the hijab has been reclaimed as a symbol of resistance. Iranian women, especially the younger generation, are defying the compulsory hijab laws, risking arrest, imprisonment, and even death to assert their right to choose. The tragic death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, following her arrest by Iran’s morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly, became a turning point, sparking the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement.

This news article explores:

 • The historical significance of the hijab in Iran.

 • How the mandatory hijab became a tool of oppression.

 • The growing resistance against the hijab mandate.

 • The global impact of this resistance and what it means for bodily autonomy in Iran.

1. The Hijab in Historical Context: From Choice to Compulsion

A. Pre-Revolution Iran: A Symbol of Choice

Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian women had the freedom to choose whether or not to wear the hijab. The period was marked by:

 • Diverse expressions of identity, with some women adopting Western styles and others wearing the hijab as a personal or religious choice.

 • State-driven modernization under Reza Shah, who in 1936 banned the hijab as part of efforts to “modernize” Iranian society. This ban was lifted under his son, Mohammad Reza Shah, allowing women the right to choose.

During this time, the hijab was a symbol of religious identity for some and a personal choice for many.

B. Post-Revolution Iran: From Symbol to Tool of Oppression

The 1979 Islamic Revolution transformed the hijab from a symbol of choice into a mandatory marker of ideological conformity. The new regime, under Ayatollah Khomeini, quickly imposed:

 • Mandatory hijab laws, requiring all women—regardless of religion or belief—to cover their hair in public.

 • Severe punishments for non-compliance, including fines, lashes, and imprisonment.

The hijab became a political tool, representing the regime’s broader agenda of controlling women’s bodies and restricting personal freedoms.

2. The Hijab as a Tool of State Control

A. The Role of the Morality Police (Gasht-e Ershad)

The morality police, known as Gasht-e Ershad, were established to enforce dress codes and police public morality. Their role includes:

 • Stopping women in public to inspect clothing and hijab adherence.

 • Arresting women for “improper hijab,” often defined arbitrarily.

 • Conducting re-education sessions where detained women are forced to pledge adherence to dress codes.

The morality police became symbols of fear, turning public spaces into arenas of control and surveillance.

B. The IRGC’s Role in Enforcing Gender Oppression

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plays a central role in suppressing women’s rights:

 • The IRGC’s intelligence branch tracks activists and journalists who oppose hijab mandates.

 • Women-led protests against the hijab have been brutally suppressed, with the IRGC orchestrating arrests, torture, and killings.

 • The IRGC’s economic networks fund organizations that promote gender segregation and patriarchal ideologies.

The regime’s focus on the hijab is not just about religious doctrine—it is about power, control, and political dominance.

3. Women’s Resistance: Turning the Hijab into a Symbol of Defiance

A. The “Girls of Revolution Street” Movement

In 2017, Vida Movahed became the first woman to publicly remove her hijab on Enghelab (Revolution) Street in Tehran, waving it like a flag atop a stick. This act inspired:

• The “Girls of Revolution Street” movement, where women followed suit, publicly removing their hijabs as an act of defiance.

 • A surge in arrests, but also a new wave of resistance, with women demanding bodily autonomy and freedom of choice.

This movement proved that the hijab, once a symbol of enforced conformity, could become a powerful symbol of resistance.

B. The Death of Mahsa Amini and the “Women, Life, Freedom” Movement

The death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022 after being detained for “improper hijab” became a catalyst for nationwide protests:

 • The slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” emerged as a rallying cry, emphasizing the connection between women’s rights and democratic freedom.

 • Mass protests spread across Iran, with women burning hijabs, cutting their hair, and leading demonstrations.

 • The regime responded with brutality, killing hundreds of protesters and arresting thousands, but resistance continued.

The hijab had now become the ultimate symbol of defiance against the regime’s authoritarianism.

C. Digital Resistance: Bypassing State Censorship

With the IRGC’s control over media and internet access, women activists have turned to:

 • Social media campaigns like #MyStealthyFreedom, where women share images of themselves without hijabs.

 • Encrypted messaging apps to organize protests and share real-time updates.

 • International collaborations to highlight human rights abuses and pressure foreign governments for support.

The digital space has become a battleground, where Iranian women assert their freedom and challenge the regime’s narrative.

4. The Price of Resistance: Repression and Resilience

A. Imprisonment and Torture

Many women activists have faced severe repercussions for defying the hijab law:

 • Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist, remains imprisoned for speaking out against gender oppression.

 • Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights lawyer, was sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes for defending women who removed their hijabs.

 • Sepideh Gholian, arrested for covering labor rights protests, has been subjected to torture and forced confessions.

B. International Recognition and Solidarity

Despite the risks, Iranian women’s resistance has gained global recognition:

 • Narges Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for her work in defending women’s rights.

 • Masih Alinejad, living in exile, continues to lead the #WhiteWednesdays and #MyStealthyFreedom campaigns, inspiring global solidarity.

 • Global protests in cities like Berlin, Paris, and New York have amplified the message of “Women, Life, Freedom”.

5. The Hijab Debate: Choice vs. Compulsion

A. The Right to Choose

The central demand of Iranian women is choice:

 • Wearing the hijab should be a personal decision, not a state-imposed mandate.

 • For many women, opposing the compulsory hijab is not about the hijab itself but about bodily autonomy and freedom of expression.

The movement seeks to ensure that:

 • Women who choose to wear the hijab can do so without coercion.

 • Women who choose not to are free from punishment and persecution.

B. A Broader Struggle for Human Rights

The fight over the hijab reflects:

 • A larger struggle for freedom of speech, assembly, and press.

 • A rejection of authoritarian control over personal lives.

 • An inclusive movement that unites women across religious, ethnic, and political lines.

6. Global Implications and Solidarity

A. International Impact of Iran’s Women-Led Movement

The Iranian women’s resistance has become a global feminist issue, inspiring:

 • Movements for women’s rights in the Middle East and beyond, including in Afghanistan and Lebanon.

 • International campaigns calling for governments to sanction Iranian officials responsible for gender oppression.

 • Discussions in the UN and EU about recognizing the IRGC’s human rights violations and designating it as a terrorist organization.

B. How the World Can Support

To support Iranian women’s fight for bodily autonomy, the global community must:

• Amplify their voices through media coverage and cultural platforms.

 • Impose targeted sanctions on Iranian officials responsible for enforcing gender oppression.

 • Provide digital tools that allow women to bypass censorship and communicate securely.

 • Offer asylum and protection to at-risk activists.

 Conclusion: The Hijab as a Banner of Freedom

The hijab in Iran has evolved from a tool of oppression into a powerful symbol of resistance. For many women, removing the hijab is an act of political defiance, representing a rejection of decades of patriarchal control and state-imposed restrictions.