Women in Iran are increasingly going without headscarves (hijabs) in public as the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death approaches. Amini died in police custody in September 2022 after being arrested for not wearing her hijab properly.
Her death sparked months of mass protests against the country’s mandatory hijab laws and Iran’s theocratic government. Over 500 people were killed by security forces cracking down on protests.
Now, it’s become more common to see women without hijabs on the streets, especially in Tehran. Videos online show women with uncovered hair, which would have been unthinkable a few years ago.
The new reformist President Pezeshkian campaigned on ending hijab harassment, but Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei still backs the mandatory hijab law. Morality police patrols have returned but are less aggressive.
While the government isn’t addressing the public defiance directly, signs suggest it recognizes social attitudes have changed since the protests sparked by Amini’s death. Women going without hijabs still face risks but pressure appears to be easing somewhat.
Source: AP News
