The Hijab Dilemma: Anti-Hijab Protests in Iran and the Emerging Voices of Change

Abstract

The hijab, a headscarf that covers a woman’s hair, is considered a symbol of modesty and religious piety in Islam. However, in Iran, it has been imposed as a compulsory dress code for all women in public since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The anti-hijab protests in Iran are part of a larger movement aimed at challenging the Islamic Republic’s restrictive policies and demanding greater personal freedoms, especially for women. Despite the government’s efforts to suppress these protests, Iranian women continue to push for change and defy the mandatory hijab. Nevertheless, the authorities have responded with a heavy-handed approach, arresting and prosecuting protesters. The anti-hijab protests in Iran are part of a broader struggle for women’s rights and personal freedoms, and that they signal an important shift in the public discourse around the hijab and its meaning in contemporary Iranian society. The article examines the motivations of the protesters and the different strategies they use to challenge the status quo, from individual acts of defiance to collective campaigns. The paper also discusses the role of social media in amplifying the voices of the protesters and creating a space for open debate and dissent.