Global Reaction to 'Protest Nudity': The Courage to Stand Against Repression

The arrest of Ahoo Daryayi, known as the 'Girl of Science and Research', a student who undressed in protest against the government's repression of women regarding mandatory hijab, and reports of her transfer to a psychiatric hospital have sparked reactions both domestically and internationally across media and social networks. Reports on Saturday, November 12, indicated that following a violent confrontation with security forces at the Science and Research Faculty of Islamic Azad University in Tehran, a young female student removed her shirt and pants and was subsequently arrested by government plainclothes forces while she was in her underwear in a nearby area. The name of this young protester was identified in subsequent reports as Ahoo Daryayi. This incident has generated widespread reactions among users on social media, as well as attention from various media outlets around the world and political figures from other countries. Sanaz Bagheri, a designer and cartoonist, displayed an image of two marathons featuring Vida Mohaghegh, the famous 'Girl of Enghelab Street', and Ahoo Daryayi, the famous 'Girl of Science and Research', symbolizing the transfer of the torch of protest against women's rights violations from one generation to another. Erfan Sabati, a sociologist, referred to the Islamic Republic's claim of Ms. Daryayi's mental health issues, stating that a government whose leader 'considers himself the rightful deputy of a 1150-year-old man who is supposed to lead a horrific revolution with the help of allies from Jabalaqa and Jabalsah' calls the 'Girl of Science and Research' insane. Shima Babaei, a women's rights activist, shared a video of herself regarding civil disobedience against mandatory hijab in 2017 and wrote on X: 'When I took off my hijab in the street and was imprisoned, I heard insinuations: 'You are a project, you are insane and seeking attention,' but just as 'Woman, Life, Freedom' was born from our individual actions, the courage of the Girl of Science and Research will also multiply. There is no stopping for women in Iran; we are extensions of one another.' International media and non-Iranian users have also reacted to this young woman's protest nudity against mandatory hijab, with some calling her action 'the courage to stand against repression.' The French newspaper Liberation also responded to Ahoo Daryayi's protest action by publishing a design titled 'Woman, Life, Nudity', depicting this young protester being chased by a cleric who has lost his turban, with her underwear placed on his face. A designer and graphic artist known as Rafael Abra also published an animation of Ahoo Daryayi walking in her underwear among stationary chador-clad figures, captioned 'Walking for Freedom.' Fabien Cléret, a member of the European Parliament, referred to Ahoo Daryayi as 'a name of courage in Iran,' calling her 'a brave, dignified, strong, and proud woman against the repression of Islamists.' Ms. Cléret also stated that she stands 'more than ever' with this protester and 'all Iranian women fighting for their rights' and 'for their lives.' Yannick Jadot, a European politician and legislator, also named Ahoo Daryayi as a symbol of hundreds of women, youth, and freedom fighters in Iran, stating: 'More than ever, it is our responsibility to continue fighting alongside them for the freedom of all political prisoners, to end harassment, and to include the IRGC on the list of terrorist organizations in Europe.' Sepideh Pouraghaei, a political activist, also shared some media reports from France regarding Ms. Daryayi's protest action, stating that 'the taboo-breaking movement of the Girl of Science and Research has sparked extensive discussions in French media about the necessity of protecting secular values against the threat of Islamism.' Iyhab Hassan, a Palestinian user on X, also stated that the Islamic Republic's propaganda apparatus, despite extensive efforts, 'cannot contain the impact of Ahoo Daryayi's symbolic image.' He expressed hope that 'the great nation of Iran will soon be liberated from the Islamic Republic,' referring to some propaganda reports titled 'Support for Palestinians' as 'a shameless tactic to whitewash the crimes of the criminal regime of the Islamic Republic and 45 years of brutality against the people of Iran.' Earlier, Amir Mahjoob, the public relations manager of Islamic Azad University, confirmed that they 'handed the protesting woman over to the police station,' claiming without evidence that she was 'under severe psychological pressure and had mental disorders.' Amir Mahjoob accused this student of what he termed 'an act against chastity,' a label that Iranian officials typically use against women and girls who protest or oppose the government's mandatory hijab. While a video circulated on social media shows several male and female officers struggling with this girl and forcibly pushing her into a vehicle, this official claimed that 'there was no altercation between the security forces and this student.' Meanwhile, the Amir Kabir News Telegram channel reported, citing an informed source, that 'the student's head hit the door or column of the car, causing severe bleeding.' Amnesty International has called on the Iranian authorities to 'immediately and unconditionally' release this student.