Member of the Iranian Writers' Association: Women's Struggle Against Gender Discrimination Continues

Mahbubeh Ebrahimi, a poet, writer, and member of the Iranian Writers' Association, stated in an interview with Voice of America on the occasion of International Women's Day, March 8, that women in Iran continue their fight against gender discrimination. Ebrahimi noted the increasing trend of women and girls towards voluntary hijab, adding that despite threats, fines, and being taken to parking lots for not wearing hijab, younger women are more determined to let their hair be caressed by the wind. In her conversation on International Women's Day, she evaluated the current conditions in Iran and the efforts of women and girls to eliminate gender discrimination. She stated that women in Iran, like women worldwide throughout history, continue to fight against gender discrimination, and this persistence is ongoing every day. In Iran, where the law institutionalizes discrimination, there is a need for greater effort and resistance. The anti-women sentiment is evident in laws regarding divorce, custody, inheritance, and many other legal areas. Beyond the law, patriarchal thinking perpetuates this inequality, from differences in job opportunities for women and men to gender-based violence. One does not need to be a women's rights activist or employed to feel the gap in unequal rights. If a woman has limited interactions to her family, there are few men in the family who do not discuss inheritance in terms of 1/2 and 1/8, or do not view child custody as a bargaining chip, or do not consider the right to divorce as a power tool. Women experience verbal violence at home, in the workplace, and even while commuting and driving. The patriarchal view of women extends to the point where some consider them property and honor, leading to practices like blood money and the exchange of daughters for familial ties, which can result in issues like child marriage and unwanted marriages. In my opinion, the patriarchal perspective has been shaped over centuries to empower men as breadwinners. Now that we have successful women who can earn income and achieve financial independence, this perspective has diminished in society. However, as long as lawmakers enforce this discrimination, the trend will not disappear and will continue. Laws in Iran are viewed by women's rights activists as entirely against women. What are the ways to address this situation? Women's rights activists have come a long way, and to continue this journey, they need the support of both women and men in society. The most important way to eliminate this inequality is awareness. Women must be aware of their rights. While there may be general knowledge, widespread awareness is lacking. Men must also come to believe in equal gender rights. Demand arises from awareness, leading to a collective movement that aligns with the actions of women's rights activists to achieve gender equality. Facilitating women's financial independence and organizing reading sessions to raise individual and community awareness can advance these goals. Awareness of the necessity of International Women's Day should not be seen as a day for greetings and gifts; rather, it should symbolize the struggle against darkness and gender inequality and serve as a memorial for all the pioneers who have walked this path, emphasizing the need to continue this struggle until women achieve equality in all social, political, legal, and economic spheres. Following the onset of protests, we have witnessed widespread participation of women and girls wearing voluntary hijab, despite mandatory hijab laws. Where is this trend heading? Let us consider the whale in the Oscar-winning animation "Shadow of the Cypress" as a symbol of Iran and homeland. The 'woman,' despite her powerlessness, has so resiliently fought to save her that she has brought the 'man' along with her, and salvation has been achieved. Women, through resistance and perseverance, are demanding their rights to the extent that men have also joined this demand, and this mutual influence and support make the path smoother. Many women and girls view mandatory hijab as a form of liberation from patriarchal control and use the symbol of voluntary hijab as a type of opposition to the foundations of power. Across the city, girls and women continue to commute without hijab despite threats and fines, and younger women are increasingly determined to let their hair be caressed by the wind.