Death sparked protests
Fight for survival instead of women’s rights: What affects Iranian women one year after the death of Mahsa Amini
“Women. Life. Freedom” – this is the motto under which exiled Iranian women in Great Britain continue to commemorate the women’s movement in Iran
© ZUMA Wire / Imago Images
One year after the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, fewer people in Iran are taking to the streets for women’s rights. Most people are now worried about the economy, many can barely make ends meet because: “Prices are rising every day.”
“I believe that economic issues are now much more important than the headscarf issue,” says Sarah. Like the 41-year-old housewife, many Iranian women are thinking a year later Death of Mahsa Amini, which sparked protests across the country. High inflation and the economic crisis have pushed the debate about strict dress codes into the background. Many Iranians are fighting for survival.
“I don’t have a problem with the headscarf myself, but I would be happier if economic conditions improved,” says Sahra. Like other women interviewed by the AFP news agency, she did not want to give her last name for fear of reprisals.
The 22-year-old Kurdish woman Amini died in police custody on September 16, 2022. She was arrested for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code, which requires women to cover their heads and necks.
One of the largest protests in Iran
After Amini’s death, Iranians took to the streets en masse for months under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom.” It was one of the largest protest movements in the country’s history. Several hundred people were killed and thousands arrested.
Despite government efforts to tighten dress code controls, women in Iran, particularly in the capital Tehran, are increasingly ignoring the requirement to wear headscarves. But with inflation at 50 percent, many believe the economy is the bigger problem right now.
The headscarf “is a completely secondary and personal matter,” says Raha, a 34-year-old accountant. It is much more important to improve living conditions.
According to observers, the economic grievances have continued to fuel popular discontent since last year’s protests. President Ebrahim Raisi, who has been in office for two years, blames “the enemy” for the crisis. He promised to repair the country’s struggling economy, curb inflation and “empower the poor.”
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Since Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the groundbreaking nuclear deal in 2018, Iran has been suffering under US sanctions. The local currency, the rial, lost around 66 percent of its value against the dollar.
The lawyer Mahtab blames the government for the misery with its “wrong economic policy”. “I feel three to four times the economic pressure compared to last year,” says the 41-year-old.
“Prices are rising every day”
The labyrinth of alleys of the Grand Bazaar in Tehran is as busy as ever, with women with and without headscarves strolling through the aisles. The stalls are full of colorful goods. But the mood among traders is miserable.
“The bazaar is crowded, but many people come just to distract themselves instead of shopping,” complains Mehdi, who sells household goods. “Many people can no longer afford the goods they need.”
“The economic situation is worse than last year and will get worse,” predicts Mohsen, a men’s clothing salesman. “Prices are rising every day. People have to see how they pay for their housing and food first.”
Imported products have become a luxury that only a few can afford. “Most of the goods in the bazaar, such as pots, spoons and forks, are now made domestically,” said Mohammed, who works at another home goods store.
However, the debate about the headscarf has not died down. Parliament is debating a bill that would impose tough penalties on women who violate dress codes. “This bill will please some people, but not the general population,” says Fatemeh, a 43-year-old housewife.
Accountant Raha demands that politicians set clear priorities: “First they have to tackle the economic problem, then they can gradually address social issues.”