Reframing Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom Movement: from gender violence to state violence

On 16 September 2022, the Woman, Life, Freedom movement was sparked by the tragic death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian-Kurdish woman. She was taken into custody in Iran by the morality police for non-compliance with the mandatory dress code for women. Four days later, she died, succumbing to her injuries inflicted by the police.As an Iranian woman and researcher focusing on state violence from a gender perspective, I believe there are two distinct ways to frame this recent movement in Iran. Given the common framing of Mahsa’s death as a sign of gender inequality and the significance of gender in global health discourse, an overview of women’s health issues in Iran helps to contextualise the first viewpoint.Despite four decades of turmoil, healthcare in Iran has improved with increased life expectancy, and reduced maternal mortality rates.12 But gender disparities endure. Despite high education levels (99% literacy rate for women…
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