Resilience and Resistance: Iranian Women’s Fight Against Oppression

Women in Iran: A Struggle for Freedom Amidst Repression

From Australia to Iran: A Tale of Resistance

Shahrzad Orang, now residing in Australia, reflects on her past as a protester against Iran’s oppressive regime. Three years ago, she joined the streets in a movement ignited by the tragic death of Mahsa Jina Amini, who died in custody after being arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating the regime’s mandatory hijab laws.

"I just thought that she could be my sister or one of my close friends," Shahrzad recalls, her voice filled with emotion. "We cried and took to the streets to say: it’s not the way that you are acting to us, it’s not correct."

Tragically, Shahrzad lost two friends during the uprising, while five others remain imprisoned. Facing threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, she made the difficult decision to flee to Australia, where she continues to advocate for change.

"They checked my phone, my calls, my emails," she recounts. "They told me, ‘You are gonna die. We are gonna kill you.’"

A Daily Battle for Women in Iran

Despite the distance, the fight for freedom continues in Iran. Women like Reyhaneh, who spoke to SBS under a pseudonym for her safety, describe life under the regime as a "daily battle."

"It’s not just the two or three meters of cloth you put on your head," she explains. "Hijab is just an excuse for many other restrictions."

A recent UN Fact Finding Mission revealed that the regime has adopted new tactics to suppress women, including digital surveillance tools and a state-backed mobile application that encourages citizens to report women for hijab violations.

Dara Conduit, a Middle East specialist at the University of Melbourne, notes, "The regime has been trying to use technology to control this. They claim to use smart cameras that can identify women not wearing hijabs, sending them fines or court summons."

Digital Tools for Resistance

In response, women are leveraging technology to fight back. Applications like ‘HarassWatch’ allow users to document harassment and report the locations of morality police, creating a digital network of resistance.

Shadi Rouhshahbaz, an associate research fellow at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, emphasizes the importance of documentation. "By documenting experiences, we hold the system accountable," she states.

Dreams of a Better Future

Despite the oppressive environment, women like Reyhaneh remain hopeful for a future where their demands are met. "I still have my headscarves," she says. "Even if the regime falls, I think I’ll keep one or two as a symbol of the era we had to endure."

As the struggle for freedom continues, the resilience of Iranian women shines through, inspiring a global movement for change.