There is no return to pre-September 2022 in Iran!

 

Zelal Tunç

 

NEWS CENTER - Evaluating the women's struggle in Iran, activist Mahbat Mahboub stated that there will be no return to before September 2022 and added "This struggle is a source of inspiration for all of us and a reminder of the importance and power of feminist solidarity. I hope November 25 will be the day to recognize the 'Jin jiyan azadi' bond of women's feminist struggle all over the world!”

 

In today's world where oppressive male regimes continue to increase all kinds of violence against women, women are shouting their demands on the streets as part of the upcoming 25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women events. Women have been continuing their resistance for more than a year against the Iranian regime, which is increasing its oppression against women day by day with its prohibitive laws. On the upcoming November 25, women in Rojhilat and Iran are preparing to raise their voices in the streets protesting the oppressive regime.

 

Mahbat Mahboub, one of the activists who took an active role in the "Jin jiyan azadi" protests, spoke about women's struggle and resistance.

 

'Women will never return to before September 2022'

 

Stating that the Iranian administration, like other governments, imposes its own order on all peoples, Mahbat said, “Regulations and assignments regarding the existence of women in society are an integral part of the nature of this regime. As can be seen, the Iranian regime has tied the issue of compulsory headscarf and gender discrimination to its own destiny. During the ‘Jin jiyan azadi’ revolution, we saw the freedom of women, sexual and gender minorities, young people, especially young girls, to rebel against this oppression. This resistance continues and the regime has only brought up repression instead of offering a solution. As we often hear, the situation will never return to before September 2022."

 

'Failure to achieve political change led to more violence'

 

Pointing out that women's individual and collective resistance against the harsh pressures of the government continues, “More generally, the government has led the atmosphere in society to a feeling of failure. Uneasy living conditions, widespread poverty, all kinds of social damage including addiction, the critical state of the environment, the feeling of 'failure' and political change experienced after Jîna's uprising have generally brought society to the brink of the abyss. This means more violence against populations perceived to lack rights, and as a result, violence against them does not come at much cost to the perpetrators of this violence: women, sexual minorities, gender minorities, workers, the excluded and the marginalized. "Baluchis, Kurds and Arabs are the ones most exposed to systematic violence,"she said.

 

Laws focused on 'family' not 'women'

 

Saying that the laws are aimed at protecting family unity and that no changes have been made regarding women's rights, Mahbat added, “The Islamic Republic regime has not prioritized violence against women in any way. A law was approved in April 2023. As the presenters of this bill stated, this bill is 'family-oriented and its priority is not to protect the safety and dignity of women, but only to protect the foundations of the family.' The issues clearly raised in this bill include discussions on culture building, providing counseling to women through judicial offices, and most importantly, teaching mutual rights and the Islamic lifestyle. We can predict what will be the outcome of such a draft law, in which the killing of a girl in the name of the father through 'honour killing' does not carry a prison sentence of more than three or four years. 'Even if the Guardian Council approves this, it will not be of any use,' he said, one of the pillars of the Islamic Republic system, which must approve the laws approved by the parliament."

 

It is a question of political orientation

 

Saying that there are no laws in the field of protecting women's rights, Mahbat said, “As a national political system that has proven its misogyny over the last forty years, it also functions within the broader structure of the Islamic Republic regime. From unequal working conditions for women to issues such as giving custody of children to the father or grandfather, it serves as a mechanism to put pressure on women at the time of divorce. Therefore, this is not a problem of inefficiency or inadequacy, but a problem of the political orientation of this system in general, which is against women's dignity and rights."

 

'The importance of joint struggle will be emphasized'

 

Finally, Mahbat, "No government has managed to crush the resistance of women to demand their rights to their bodies, their clothes and to self-determination in general. This year, November 25 is for me the women and other sexual/ It will be a day that will emphasize the importance of the intersection of the struggles of gender minorities. The magnificent struggle of women, especially against the 'compulsory headscarf', which is the keyword of the oppression of women in all areas in Iran, continues despite the increasing oppression and crimes of the regime. This struggle is a source of inspiration and inspiration for all of us. It is a reminder of the importance and power of feminist solidarity. I hope November 25 will be the day to recognize the 'women's life and freedom' bond of women's feminist struggle all over the world!” gave the message.