Masha Amini. You need to know this name, especially if you believe yourself to be a feminist. She was 20 years old when she was brutally murdered after allegedly being arrested by the morality police in Iran for her hijab not being worn properly.
After Iran implemented a mandatory hijab law in 1989, groups of men called the morality police began enforcing these rules by issuing verbal notices, monetary fines, and even abducting women.
One of the most recent victims of the morality police was Amini, who was brutally beaten and murdered after being detained. Images spread of Masha in the hospital lying unconscious with tubes in her nose and mouth, her face and head severely disfigured, and her body covered with myriads of bruises.
As news of Amini’s death and its cause spread, thousands of women in Iran have taken to the streets, once again, in protests calling for the end of the mandatory hijab laws and the “death of the dictator.” In the last few days, other female protesters have been murdered in this fight for freedom and equality but their bravery will never be forgotten. We cannot let their deaths be for nothing. We must support the women of Iran.
Among these fallen women is Nika Shakarami, 16 years old, who was last seen on video standing on a dumpster burning her headscarf in Tehran. She then disappeared after being chased by the police, who claimed her death was caused by being “tossed off a building, possibly by construction workers.” Shakarami’s mother has since come forward and “alleged that her sister Atash and brother Mohsen had been forced into making false statements about Nika’s death while they were in detention.”
Hadis Najafi, 23 years old, was also killed after being shot six times by Iranian security forces after she joined the fight for the end of mandatory hijab laws.
Iran has limited the use of the internet in hopes of keeping these monstrosities silent. Women in Iran are not allowed to use their voices — everyone else in the world must use theirs to ensure that they can be heard.
Countless other women have died and gone missing. It has been almost a month since Masha’s death that started this all. When will the United Nations and other nations take real action on this, aside from releasing statements? Iran is a member of the UN, so why do the United nations think that a mere statement will stop the murder of women in this country? There is more to be done, so why is everyone merely standing by and watching the inhumane, unjust, and disgusting actions of the leadership of Iran?
When Roe v. Wade was overturned the United Nations called it a “huge blow to women’s human rights.” What about the right to exist? To live? To be a woman and to feel safe in your own country? Are the deaths of Amini, Shakarami, and Najafi not also a blow to women’s rights?
Moreover, there has been sustained silence from many nations. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many other countries and parliamentarians took to the media and the news proclaiming their sorrow for women in the United States.
Where are these people now? Women are being brutally murdered in the streets of Iran, yet you will not speak out now? This is hypocrisy, feminism is not feminism unless you support and fight for all women, especially those whose lives are actively at stake.
Norwegian Parliamentary member, Kamzy Gunaratnam, put out a TikTok last Tuesday standing in solidarity with her “American sisters.” However, content like this is blind to the fact that women are being murdered in the streets of Iran. What about their Iranian sisters? Do we stand with them? Will we go down with them?
It is disgusting to see the lack of support for the women of Iran. This is an issue we cannot be silent about, we must speak up, help, and fight for them. Say their names, and speak out about what is currently happening in Iran, as our sisters there are not able to do so themselves.
Image by Artin Bakhan is licensed under the Unsplash License.
