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Most Iranians have had enough of mandatory hijab enforcement. A video released on Saturday has gone viral, capturing global attention, and spotlighting the situation in Iran.
As Iranian women continue to fight for their rights and autonomy — especially since the death of Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022 — young people have taken on an increasingly active role in this wave of dissent.
Amid growing tensions, a student’s protest at Tehran’s Islamic Azad University has shaken the regime.
The footage shows a woman stripping down to her underwear in a powerful protest against Iran’s compulsory hijab law – following a confrontation with the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to France 24, the woman had been harassed at Islamic Azad University by Basij members who tore off her headscarf and clothing due to her failure to comply with the dress code.
While several global outlets have reported that her name is Ahoo Daryaei, there has been no official confirmation of her identity.
The Human Rights Center in Iran reports that the woman was forcibly transferred to a psychiatric facility – a tactic frequently used by authorities against political prisoners and detainees.
In response, Iranian Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi described the labelling of protesters as mentally ill and a continuation of the authorities’ longstanding gaslighting tactics.
Though this public stand will undoubtedly mark its place in Iran’s modern history, it is not the first instance of a university student clashing with dress code regulations.
According to Iran International, Project Noor was launched on April 13 to enforce hijab regulations, leading to a significant increase in the presence of police, Basij paramilitary units, and plainclothes officers in public spaces.
Alarmingly, many universities in Iran have installed facial recognition technology at entry gates, denying access to female students who do not comply with the state-imposed rule.
The NCRI Women’s Committee reported that on just one day, Monday, October 28, around 200 women were barred from entering Amir Kabir University because of their attire.
