How Did the Conflict Between Women's Bodies and Men's Power Emerge?

The recent semi-nude protest by a female student at the University of Science and Research, which received widespread media coverage, has raised the issue of power dynamics over bodies, particularly women's bodies, in society. What is referred to as 'nudity' and how have different societies related to the body, especially in the modern era? Various interpretations of 'nudity' have been a central topic of thought throughout history, with writers and artists expressing their intellectual and artistic ideas through the body. It has also been a significant concern in religions and a subject of controversy in various societies. Therefore, the current discourse surrounding the body encompasses a wide range of perspectives. Shahla Shafique, a sociologist in France, tells Radio Farda that in the present era, the manifestations of what is called 'nudity' are not similar. She references the protesting women of the 'Femen' group who use nudity as a form of 'protest' and contrasts this with the pornography industry, where women's bodies are seen as 'tools.' Some contemporary thinkers, including feminist thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir, argue that if women are subjected to violence, it is because they are not considered human beings in their own right but rather as beings in service to men. This being can even be a myth or idol, but whatever it is, it is constructed and serves as a starting point for ignoring the truth and existence of women. Ms. Shafique also states that throughout history, it has been men who have defined the framework of women's bodily freedoms. What does the female body mean in Iran and Western countries? Arash Joudaki, a philosophy researcher, tells Radio Farda that the prevailing religion in Iran has become the main factor in the domination over women's bodies. However, there are those who argue that Islam's view of women has not been uniform throughout history, and what currently exists in Iran is stricter than in earlier periods of Islam. Yasser Mirdamadi, a researcher on religious issues, tells Radio Farda that in Islamic societies that were colonized, anti-colonial Muslims used women as tools against colonialism. Saeed Payandi, a sociologist residing in France, also tells Radio Farda that in contemporary times, women's liberation from bodily restrictions is closely linked to their acquisition of social rights. The shock caused by the image of the nude female student at the University of Science and Research stems from the severe contradiction between this image and the existing masculine image of contemporary Iranian society. Shahla Shafique states that the current male-dominated government in Iran primarily conceals women's bodies to maintain its power. In recent years, especially after the onset of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, Iranian women have turned their struggle against compulsory hijab into a key to reclaiming their lost rights.